Luka Doncic is officially out for Game 2 of the NBA Playoffs between the Lakers and Thunder. He is recovering from a Grade 2 left hamstring strain and has begun running but is not yet cleared for full contact.
Key points
Luka Doncic ruled out for Game 2 of the NBA Playoffs
Injury due to Grade 2 left hamstring strain
Started running but not cleared for full contact
Out since April 2
Lakers face Thunder in the playoffs
Luka DoncicLos Angeles LakersOKC ThunderNBA Playoffs
When is Luka Doncic returning? Injury update for Lakers-Thunder NBA Playoffs Game 2
Doncic continues to works his way back onto the court, as hisĀ LakersĀ face theĀ ThunderĀ in the second round of theĀ NBA Playoffs.
Doncic has beenĀ sidelined since April 2 with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain. The superstar guard told the media Wednesday that he has started running, but he hasn't yet been cleared for full contact.
"I'm just doing everything I can," Doncic said. "Every day, I'm doing things I'm supposed to do. Obviously, I'm recovering, and now I'm working. The doctor said eight weeks at the beginning of the first MRI. So Iām just going day by day, and I feel better every day.ā
Doncic received that first MRI on April 3, which was nearly five weeks ago. If the eight-week recovery timeline holds up, he'd miss the entire second-round series against OKC.
The Thunder already holds a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.Ā Ā in Game 1 on Tuesday.
Q&A
When will Luka Doncic return to play?
Luka Doncic has not been given a specific return date but is currently working on his recovery.
What is Luka Doncic's injury status for the NBA Playoffs?
Luka Doncic is sidelined due to a Grade 2 left hamstring strain and was ruled out for Game 2.
How long has Luka Doncic been injured?
Luka Doncic has been out since April 2 due to his hamstring injury.
What did Luka Doncic say about his recovery progress?
Luka Doncic mentioned that he has started running but has not yet been cleared for full contact.
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"I don't think people understand how frustrating it is," Doncic said. "All I want to do is play basketball, especially this time (of year). It's the best time to play basketball. It's very frustrating. Seeing what my team is doing, I'm very proud of them. But it's been very tough just to sit and watch them play."
Game 2 is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. CT Thursday in Oklahoma City (Prime Video).
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe arrives before Game 1 of the NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort arrives before Game 1 of the NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander arrives before Game 1 of the NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
Shirts are pictured before Game 1 of the NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs LA Lakers in Game 1 NBA Playoffs, see top photos
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe arrives before Game 1 of the NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
1 / 4
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs LA Lakers in Game 1 NBA Playoffs, see top photos
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe arrives before Game 1 of the NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
2 / 4
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs LA Lakers in Game 1 NBA Playoffs, see top photos
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort arrives before Game 1 of the NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
3 / 4
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs LA Lakers in Game 1 NBA Playoffs, see top photos
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander arrives before Game 1 of the NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
4 / 4
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs LA Lakers in Game 1 NBA Playoffs, see top photos
Shirts are pictured before Game 1 of the NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
[Ā LISTEN UP:Ā Make the "Thunder Buddies" podcast a staple of your starting lineup by following onĀ Apple,Ā SpotifyĀ andĀ YouTube. ]
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe arrives before Game 1 of the NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort arrives before Game 1 of the NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander arrives before Game 1 of the NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
Shirts are pictured before Game 1 of the NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
1 / 4
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs LA Lakers in Game 1 NBA Playoffs, see top photos
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe arrives before Game 1 of the NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
1 / 4
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs LA Lakers in Game 1 NBA Playoffs, see top photos
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe arrives before Game 1 of the NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
2 / 4
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs LA Lakers in Game 1 NBA Playoffs, see top photos
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort arrives before Game 1 of the NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
3 / 4
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs LA Lakers in Game 1 NBA Playoffs, see top photos
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander arrives before Game 1 of the NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
4 / 4
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs LA Lakers in Game 1 NBA Playoffs, see top photos
Shirts are pictured before Game 1 of the NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
LeBron James scored a game-high 27 points during Game 1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander played below his standards with 18 points and seven turnovers. And yet OKC still won by 18 points. The Thunder has the better defense, which is filled with elite talent both on the perimeter and around the rim. And it has the better offense, especially with Luka Doncic continuing to miss time. OKC is simply the better team, and it'll continue to show that by earning a Game 2 win.
Thunder:Ā Thomas SorberĀ (right ACL surgical recovery) is out. Jalen Williams (left hamstring strain) is out.
Lakers:Ā Luka Doncic (left hamstring strain) is out. Luka Kennard (neck soreness) is questionable. Jarred Vanderbilt (right finger dislocation) is doubtful.
