Lakers Expecting Luka Doncic to Miss Rockets Series: Report

Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic is on the sidelines with a hamstring injury that came from the end of the regular season in a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The game was supposed to be one where Doncic sent an MVP statement to the rest of the NBA, asserting himself as one of the top three and potentially vying for the award.

However, instead, he struggled in the first half as the Thunder got off to a massive lead, and Doncic ended up on the floor in pain, heading to the locker room to discover his injury was serious enough to rule him out for the end of the regular season.

It was diagnosed as a four-to-six-week injury, though given the tricky nature of hamstring problems, he could be out longer.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) falls to the court after an injury against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Seemingly, despite approaching his third week of being out with a Grade 2 strained hamstring, Doncic is still a ways away.

“The sense around the Lakers is that Austin Reaves is actually the one that’s further along than Luka Doncic in their respective rehab processes. I am told Austin Reaves has started 1 on 1 on court work,” Charania said.

“The Lakers are not expecting Luka Doncic to be back in this series. He is out indefinitely.”

Doncic was reportedly ahead of Reaves in terms of returning, but since the star of the series, it has been the former who has been labeled the player farthest from returning.