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Derek Fisher on Luka Doncic MVP

The Los Angeles Lakers are still looking at the possibility of not having Luka Doncic back at all in the 2026 NBA playoffs. That’s simply the gut-wrenching reality they are faced with.

However, the team has received some positive signals about Doncic’s recovery from his Grade 2 left hamstring strain as the Lakers gear up for Game 5 against the Houston Rockets.

Doncic wasn’t initially projected to play in the first round, but there was strong hope that he would be ready to go as soon as Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals. 

To the Lakers’ credit, they have proven they can win playoff games without Doncic and Austin Reaves. 

Much of that is thanks to LeBron James, who has shouldered much of the load. His best game of the series was a 101-94 Game 2 victory. He logged 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.

Is Luka Doncic Even Close to Returning?

Now that’s what everyone is suddenly wondering after recent reports.

Clearly, the Lakers getting Doncic back will certainly shift the playoff landscape. Doncic, 27, led the league in scoring this year. Against the Rockets, whom the Lakers are battling right now, Doncic played some of the best basketball of his career, scoring a combined 76 points against Houston just last month. His injury was ill-timed. 

GettyLuka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on before a game against the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center on December 18, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

There has been intense speculation around Doncic’s availability in recent weeks. Everyone knows by now he took a trip to Spain to seek specialized treatment hoping to accelerate his recovery. At least right now, it doesn’t appear the stem cell therapy Doncic received was of much help. 

Doncic has recently been seen very slowly ramping up his activity in practice. Videos have surfaced of him shooting around and partaking in light drills, but nothing has indicated that his return is imminent. 

Then today, ESPN’s NBA insider dropped some deflating news on the star guard’s return, saying he may not even appear in the second round of the playoffs if the Lakers oust the Rockets.

“It is a slow-path on the recovery front for Luka,” Shams said on “SportsCenter.” “The expectation is if the Lakers are able to beat Houston and advance, Luka Doncic will be out for the next series. 

“There’s still no time table for him as of right now. He’s starting to do more court movement as [Lakers coach] JJ Redick said the other day, but he is not at the point where he’s progressing in his own court work outs as far as one on ones and truly pushing it on a movement front.”

Can the Lakers See Off the Rockets Without Their Best Player?

Shams’ report is just brutal for L.A. 

The Lakers hold a commanding 3-1 lead, but they have a critical Game 5 on tap. A loss opens the door to potential disaster. A win seals the deal and awards the Lakers a trip to the semifinals … to play the Thunder.

To stand any kind of chance against the defending champs, the Lakers need Doncic on the floor. The 41-year-old James has flashed dominance in bursts but can only be asked to produce so much at his age. Reaves, meanwhile, will also be working his way back from injury.

The only positive for the Lakers if their first round series is prolonged is more rest time for Doncic to heal up before a potential series against the Thunder.

Otherwise, the Lakers, like the kids nowadays like to say, are cooked if they lose Wednesday’s Game 5 and have to fly back to Houston for a dicey Game 6.