Getty

Lakers' Luka Doncic during a game against the Sacramento Kings in December 2025

All Luka Doncic has been able to do is sit back and watch as the Los Angeles Lakers do battle.

Doncic has been sidelined for over a month. He’s gotten to a point where he is frustrated about not being able to play. And with the Lakers locking horns with the defending champions in round two, Doncic knows he’s needed now more than ever.

The Lakers took on the Oklahoma City Thunder in Tuesday’s Game 1. They tried and tried some more, but the blue jerseys were everywhere, swarming defensively and bolting in transition. It showed why they are the defending NBA champions.

The Lakers were handed an 18-point loss in the opening game of these semifinals. 

Doncic has been out since April 2 with a Grade 2 hamstring strain and still has not been given a clear return timeline.  

With how the first game in Oklahoma City went, Lakers fans are starting to fear if Doncic will even be seen again this season

With Game 2 on tap and the Lakers feeling the anticipatory anxiety of a 0-2 series deficit, all they can do is take a deep breath and try again.

Lakers Head Coach Sets the Record Straight on Luka Doncic’s Return

It was in this very arena he suffered a potentially season-ending injury 34 days ago.

GettyOKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – APRIL 02: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after a play during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Paycom Center on April 2, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

It appears the 4-6 week return timeline everyone was told was indeed not accurate. According to Doncic, his doctor informed him his Grade 2 hamstring strain would take eight weeks to recover. 

Over the five weeks Doncic has been sidelined, head coach JJ Redick has often been asked how long the 27-year-old star guard would remain out. Redick has been consistent in his responses. He has no idea.

On Wednesday, Redick changed his tone slightly, but he framed his response in the most politically correct way.

“It’s very simple. It’s, when he’s ready to play, he should play,” Redick told reporters. “That comes with the athlete having confidence. It’s no different from Austin [Reaves].” 

Tough Times Emerging for L.A.

Few picked the Lakers to pull a historic upset in the second round, but if L.A. wanted to make this series interesting, those chances are now a thing of the past.

Oklahoma City had not played a game in eight days. The reigning champs were rusty. They fell down 0-7 early in the first quarter. They turned the ball over more than they will ever again this spring. Their MVP scored just 18 points. 

It didn’t matter. The Lakers lost by 18 points.

In the end, the Thunder buried the Lakers in trademark fashion: depth upon depth. 

The sharpshooting Jared McCain came out of nowhere and sank three 3-pointers, ballooning the Thunder lead to 19 points in Loud City.  

First time All-Star big man Chet Holmgren told his superstar point guard he’s got things under control tonight. Holmgren tallied 24 points and 12 rebounds. 

And yet, the Thunder won’t play like they did last night again in this series. 

As the days go by, the more it’s beginning to feel like Doncic may not suit up again until October. 

With L.A.’s season threatening to be over in less than a week, it’s difficult to expect Doncic to appear in this series against the Thunder.