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Luka DonÄiÄ has been sidelined since April 2 due to a hamstring injury, while Jalen Williams has been out since April 22 with a similar issue. Both players are crucial for their teams as the Western Conference semifinals begin.
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Both the Lakers and Thunder have key players nursing injuries as their best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series begins. LAās Luka DonÄiÄ has been out since April 2, and OKCās Jalen Williams has been out since April 22. Both are dealing with hamstring injuries.
Below, we will give the latest information on when both players will return and be back in uniform for their respective teams.
When will Luka DonÄiÄ **return to the Lakersā lineup?**Had DonÄiÄ injury occurred early or midway through the regular season, he likely would be out at least two months. But, with the Lakers in the playoffs, there is a mad rush to get him back on the floor.
DonÄiÄ has been ruled out for Game 1 of the Lakers versus Thunder series, but there is hope on the LA side that he can return at some point in the series against OKC.
The six-time NBA All-Star suffered a Grade 2 hamstring injury on April 2. Recovery from this sort of injury can take anywhere from three to eight weeks. It has now been four weeks and five days since the time of the injury.
DonÄiÄ went to Spain shortly after the injury occurred in order to receive regenerative treatments that are not readily available in the US. The hope was that the treatments would speed up his recovery, but DonÄiÄ remains on the shelf.
The Slovenian superstar was seen going through spot-up shooting drills at Lakers practice on Monday.
Luka DonÄiÄ has been out since April 2 due to a hamstring injury and is working towards a return for the playoffs.
Jalen Williams has been out since April 22 with a hamstring injury, and updates on his return are pending.
Both players are key contributors, and their absence could significantly affect the performance of the Lakers and Thunder in the playoffs.
If DonÄiÄ cannot return quickly, the Lakers may struggle to advance in the playoffs without their star player.
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Lakers head coach JJ Re d**k was asked about DonÄiÄās availability for Game 1 Tuesday night. Re d**k simply responded, āI donāt have any updates on Luka,ā according to California Post reporter Khobi Price.
ESPNās Brian Windhorst said this past Saturday that DonÄiÄ would likely miss the āfront endā of the series against the Thunder and that he would be out for āat least another week to 10 days on the minimum.ā
Game 3 of the Lakers - Thunder series takes place this Saturday, May 9, which would be exactly a week since Windhorstās projection.
Here is a look at the series schedule for Lakers versus Thunder.
(*If necessary)
**When will Jalen Williams return to the Thunder lineup?**Williamsā hamstring injury is a Grade 1 hamstring strain. It typically takes 1-3 weeks to recover from this type of injury. The OKC guard has now been out of action for 13 days and he has been ruled out to play Tuesday night in Game 1.
Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault spoke with reporters about Williamsā status on Monday.
āHeās progressing according to plan,ā Daigneault said. āIn terms of timeline, weāre not going to release that. Weāll continue to let you guys know on a week-to-week basis.ā
OKC is a whopping -15.5 favorite for Game 1 against the Lakers even without Williamsā services. If the Thunder go up early in the series as expected, surely they will continue to rest Williams until he is 100 percent and his return is absolutely necessary. In other words, there is a chance we donāt see Williams until the Western Conference Finals if the Thunder make short work of the Lakers.
Lakers vs. Thunder oddsThe Thunder are huge favorites over the Lakers at Fanatics Sportsbook as they are -1600 to win the Round 2 series.
The most likely outcome at Fanatics is a Thunder sweep at +120.
OKC remains the favorite to win the title, owning -170 odds. The Lakers are +3500 to win it all.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is -145 to win NBA Finals MVP, while DonÄiÄ is +4000 to win the award.