Lakers' Luka Doncic reacts to NBA ruling on 65-game award eligibility

Lakers' Luka Doncic reacts to NBA ruling on 65-game award eligibility originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Los Angeles Lakers superstar guard Luka Doncic reacted to the NBA’s ruling regarding his 65-game award eligibility.

Doncic took to social media to thank the NBA and NBPA for advocating on his behalf to ensure he remains eligible for all major awards despite not meeting the 65-game threshold.

" I am grateful to the NBPA for advocating on my behalf and to the NBA for their fair decision," Doncic wrote. "It was so important to me to be present for the birth of my daughter in December and I appreciate Mark, Jeanie, Rob, JJ, and the entire Lakers organization for fully supporting me and allowing me to travel to be there. This season has been so special to me because of what my teammates and I have been able to accomplish, and I am honored to have the opportunity to be considered for the league’s end-of-season awards."

Doncic was one game away from playing in at least 65 games this season. He was well on his way to doing so before he suffered a severe hamstring injury with five games remaining in the season in early April.

The 27-year-old was ruled out for the remainder of the regular season because of it.

Will Luka Doncic Return For the Playoffs?

Nonetheless, the six-time All-Star is doing all he can to get back on the court. Doncic traveled to Spain earlier this month to receive specialized, advanced stem cell and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatments for his Grade 2 left hamstring strain.

The trip allowed him to access regenerative therapies that could quickly heal the hamstring. The goal is to get back on the court as quickly as possible and help the Lakers make a deep run.

Doncic's status for the playoffs remains unclear.

The Lakers will tip off their first-round series against the Houston Rockets on Saturday.