When will Luka Dončić return to Lakers? A troubling update ahead of Game 5

If the Los Angeles Lakers can win Wednesday's Game 5, or a possible Game 6 or Game 7, if necessary, they will advance to play the reigning NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Unfortunately for the Lakers, if they advance, they will still likely be without their best and most important player.

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Luka Dončić probably won't return to a potential second-round series for the Lakers as he continues recovering from a hamstring strain he suffered late in the regular season. Woof.

From a long-term perspective, the Lakers and Dončić are undoubtedly making the right decision. Pushing a franchise player to return from a delicate soft-tissue injury early and not at 100 percent is playing with fire. Dončić is still just 27 years old. In the Lakers' eyes, they are only beginning an NBA title-contending window with him. They don't want to unnecessarily risk his future and health when he isn't ready to play.

But from a short-term perspective, talk about deflating news. The shorthanded Lakers would already be likely massive underdogs against the Thunder, with or without Dončić's scoring and playmaking ability. Without him, it's really hard to believe they give the Thunder much of any fight.

Alas, in the NBA, sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and think big picture.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Luka Dončić injury: Update on troubling timeline for Lakers' superstar