Luka Doncic will not return for Game 3 against the Oklahoma City Thunder as he continues to recover from a Grade 2 left hamstring strain. He has been sidelined since April 2.
Key points
Luka Doncic is out for Game 3 against the Thunder.
He has a Grade 2 left hamstring strain.
Doncic has been sidelined since April 2.
The Lakers are down 0-2 in the series.
Los Angeles LakersOklahoma City ThunderLuka Doncic
When is Luka Doncic coming back? Injury update for Thunder-Lakers Game 3
The Los Angeles Lakers aren't getting Luka Doncic back as they head back home down 0-2 in their conference semifinal series with the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
Doncic has been out since April 2 with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, which he suffered against the Thunder during the final days of the regular season.
The Lakers have been without their leading scorer all throughout the playoffs.
He missed the entire first round, where the Lakers handled the Houston Rockets in six games.
Moondog performs during the first quarter of game one in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Arena.
A member of the Cleveland Cavaliers Scream Team performs during a time out during the second half of game one in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.
Q&A
When did Luka Doncic get injured?
Luka Doncic suffered a Grade 2 left hamstring strain on April 2.
How long will Luka Doncic be out?
Luka Doncic has been out since April 2, and there is no confirmed return date for him.
What is the current status of the Lakers in the playoffs?
The Los Angeles Lakers are currently down 0-2 in their conference semifinal series against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
What impact does Doncic's absence have on the Lakers?
Luka Doncic's absence is significant as he is the leading scorer for the Lakers, affecting their performance in the playoffs.
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Cleveland Brows player Myles Garrett riles up the crowd during the first half of game one between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.
A fan waves a towel during the second half of game one between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.
Fans arrive to watch warmups before game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena.
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Moondog performs during the first quarter of game one in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Arena.
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NBA playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
Moondog performs during the first quarter of game one in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Arena.
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NBA playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
A member of the Cleveland Cavaliers Scream Team performs during a time out during the second half of game one in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.
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NBA playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
Cleveland Brows player Myles Garrett riles up the crowd during the first half of game one between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.
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NBA playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
A fan waves a towel during the second half of game one between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.
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NBA playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy
Fans arrive to watch warmups before game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena.
Facing the defending champs, they need Doncic.
"It's very frustrating," Doncic said after a May 6 practice. "I hope people understand how frustrating it is. All I want to do is play basketball, especially at this time. It's the best time to play basketball. It's very frustrating. To see what my team is doing, I'm very proud of them, but it's been very tough."
Doncic was initially told there would be an eight-week healing period. It is currently the end of week five. If Doncic was to return on the given timeline, he wouldn't play until the conference finals.
"I'm just doing everything I can," Doncic said Wednesday. "Every day, I'm doing stuff I'm supposed to do. My doctor said eight weeks at the beginning of the first MRI, so just going day-by-day. I feel better every day."
Doncic has been running and participating in shootaround, but is nowhere near ready to play. He has approximately three weeks, according to his doctor's timeline.
