Doncic to return from Spain on Friday; status TBD
TL;DR
Luka Doncic is returning to Los Angeles on Friday after receiving treatment for a Grade 2 left hamstring strain in Spain. His status for the NBA playoffs remains uncertain as the Lakers prepare to face the Houston Rockets on Saturday.
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.
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.
The No. 4-seeded Lakers host the No. 5-seeded Houston Rockets in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series Saturday (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC).
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 on April 2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. A Grade 2 hamstring strain typically involves a monthlong recovery period.
L.A. finished the season 3-2 without Doncic and Austin Reaves, who suffered a Grade 2 left oblique strain in the Thunder game and is also sidelined indefinitely.
LeBron James was named the Western Conference player of the week for the final week of the season after averaging 24.0 points, 9.7 assists and 6.0 rebounds and guiding the Lakers to a winning record without their other two stars.
Doncic finished the season averaging a league-best 33.5 points along with 8.3 assists and 7.7 rebounds per game. He appeared in 64 games, failing to reach the 65-game threshold in order to be eligible for regular season awards. His agent, Bill Duffy of WME, has petitioned the NBA to grant his client a "special circumstances" exception because Doncic missed two games in December to travel to Slovenia to be present for the birth of his daughter.
Q&A
What is Luka Doncic's injury status for the NBA playoffs?
Luka Doncic is currently ruled out for the remainder of the regular season, and his status for the playoffs is still to be determined.
How long does a Grade 2 hamstring strain typically take to heal?
A Grade 2 hamstring strain typically requires about a month for recovery.
When do the Los Angeles Lakers play their first playoff game?
The Los Angeles Lakers are set to play their first playoff game against the Houston Rockets on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET.
