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HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 24: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on April 24, 2026 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Lakers are lining up to face off against the defending NBA champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, in the second round. There’s still no Luka Doncic.

The Lakers dispatched the Houston Rockets in six games without Doncic, their leading scorer. Oklahoma City is the next hurdle standing in the L.A.’s way to the conference finals.

This Western Conference semifinals will provide a high-stakes matchup as both sides will field their strongest teams. Or maybe not a 100%, as the Lakers are still not yet in the good-to-go zone regarding Doncic’s availability. 

Luka Doncic’s Trip Overseas Not A Medical one?

Doncic has not played since going down with an injury April 2 against the Thunder. His injury was later diagnosed as a Grade 2 left hamstring strain. He was projected to miss around four to six weeks, essentially the entire first round and large portions of the second.

GettyLuka Dončić stands with teammates during the Lakers’ playoff game as his injury timeline extends beyond the first round.

Shortly after the injury, reports surfaced that Doncic traveled to Europe, particularly Spain for specialized treatments. The idea or hope was to accelerate his recovery and since then, there have been numerous narratives surrounding that injury 

According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, however, the trip to Spain may have been a bogus story all along. 

“I am a big actions over words guy. When Luka got hurt, Luka went to Spain for treatment,” Windhorst said, using air quotes as he spoke “I’ve heard of going to Germany. I’ve never heard of going to Spain. … When they sent him overseas, that was not an indication of a minor hamstring injury. That was like, ‘You’re not going to be doing anything for a few weeks anyway so go ahead and go to Europe.”

When Doncic returned to Los Angeles after a couple of weeks, he started ramping up with non-contact work, including shooting and movement drills. He was teased to play a part in the series but the Lakers ultimately ruled him out for the entirety of the series.

Doncic’s limited availability earlier in the season was also put in context by Windhorst. In December 2025, the Slovenian superstar missed two games to be present for the birth of his second daughter. 

The timing of that Spain trip may have overlapped with a visit to his daughters and was perceived as a medical one.

Lakers in ‘Wait-and-See’ Mode For Doncic 

The Lakers are at least better off than when the postseason started. Austin Reaves, who was also injured on the same day as Doncic, has successfully returned from injury. He got hurt with a Grade 2 oblique strain and made a quick return to play in Games 4 and 5 bolstering the backcourt alongside LeBron James.

He continues with on-court work but the Lakers haven’t offered any light as to whether he will return to play or if there is an update on his current status.

Windhorst believes the outcome of the first few games could dictate Doncic’s deployment strategy. If they series is a close one or not.

“I think the Lakers are probably in a wait-and-see mode,” he said. 

All in all, Windhorst is saying that fans should not expect to see Doncic in the first few games of this series.

If there is no progress, the Lakers will have to carry one again without a marquee member of their roster. It worked the first time but whether it will now remains to be seen.