Luka Doncic will return to L.A. for start of Lakers' playoff series

While the Los Angeles Lakers were wrapping up their regular-season schedule, Luka Doncic traveled to Europe to seek specialized treatment options for his Grade 2 hamstring strain that he sustained on April 2. He reportedly headed to Spain and underwent an injection procedure in an attempt to speed up the recovery process.

Per Dave McMenamin of ESPN, the superstar will be returning to Los Angeles late this week, and while he obviously won't be in uniform when the Lakers begin their first-round playoff series versus the Houston Rockets, he will be around.

"Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic might not be on the court for the start of the NBA playoffs this weekend, but he will be with his team," McMenamin wrote.

"Doncic is returning to Los Angeles on Friday after spending the last week in Spain, where he received multiple injections for his Grade 2 left hamstring strain, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania on Monday."

A Grade 2 hamstring strain usually takes about three to six weeks to heal. It is generally expected that Doncic won't be able to play at all during the first round of the playoffs, but perhaps he could return in the second round — if the Lakers make it that far.

"The Lakers have not provided a timeline for Doncic's return to the lineup other than ruling him out for the remainder of the regular season after he suffered the injury April 2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder," McMenamin continued. "A Grade 2 hamstring strain typically involves a monthlong recovery period."

Since Doncic suffered his injury, the Lakers ended the regular season with a three-game winning streak. LeBron James shifted back to being their top scoring threat, and he was named the Western Conference Player of the Week after putting up superstar numbers.

Houston is looking like a strong favorite to win this upcoming playoff matchup. But perhaps James can engineer an upset, something he has done in the past with underwhelming supporting casts, and buy some time for both Doncic and Austin Reaves, who has an oblique strain, to return later on.

This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Luka Doncic will return to L.A. for start of Lakers' playoff series