By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
After consultation with Los Angeles Lakers doctors and his own medical team, Luka Doncic will travel to Europe to seek specialized treatment for a Grade 2 left hamstring strain. His agent, Bill Duffy of WME Basketball, confirmed the decision to ESPN on Sunday, noting that the objective is to expedite the guard’s return to play.
The Slovenian superstar sustained the injury during the third quarter of Thursday’s loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. A subsequent MRI conducted in Dallas on Friday afternoon revealed the extent of the strain, leading the team to announce that he will be sidelined at least through the remainder of the 2025-26 NBA Regular Season.
While a Grade 2 strain typically requires a month-long recovery period, the Lakers have not provided a specific timetable for his return beyond the final five regular-season games. This timeline leaves his availability for the start of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google, in serious jeopardy.
Through 64 appearances this season, the 27-year-old was amidst a historic season, averaging 33.5 points, 8.3 assists, and 7.7 rebounds per game. However, by missing the final stretch, Doncic is on the verge of being ruled ineligible for season-ending awards due to the league’s 65-game requirement, pending a challenge to the NBA.
The Ljubljana native has become the cornerstone of the Lakers’ roster, appearing in 97 games for the franchise since his blockbuster trade from the Dallas Mavericks. His storied career, which includes a EuroLeague championship with Real Madrid and a EuroBasket gold medal with Slovenia, now faces a critical juncture as JJ Redick’s side prepares to contend for a championship.
Meanwhile, the injury-depleted Lakers fell to a 50–28 record following a 134–128 loss to the Mavs at American Airlines Center, where Cooper Flagg dominated with a 45-point performance. In Doncic’s absence, European representation was limited to Germany’s Maxi Kleber logging 13 minutes with two points, three assists, one steal, and one rebound. For the winning side, Greece’s John Poulakidas tallied five points in seven minutes of play.