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Luka Doncic’s "Extraordinary Circumstances" challenge delaying the NBA regular season award ballots.

The Los Angeles Lakers are going to punch their ticket to the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs. As they gear up for a battle against the Oklahoma City Thunder, all eyes are going to be on the injured Luka Doncic.

When the Lakers played the Thunder on April 2, that was the final time Luka Doncic hit the court. He was in the game for 25 minutes before exiting to get checked out. The star sharpshooter wouldn’t return.

GettyHOUSTON, TEXAS – MARCH 16: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers warms up prior to the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on March 16, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)

Since then, Doncic has missed 11 games, including Friday night’s Game 6 battle against the Houston Rockets.

As the first round series against the Rockets played out, there have been a lot of mixed signals regarding Doncic’s return timeline. During Friday night’s broadcast of Game 6, ESPN’s Cassidy Hubbarth made it very clear that there isn’t a timeline.

The Latest On Luka Doncic During Game 6

GettyPHOENIX, ARIZONA – OCTOBER 14: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers talks with head coach JJ Redick during the first half of the NBA preseason game against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center on October 14, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Kelsey Grant/Getty Images)

“No timeline,” Hubbarth said.

“There has been some progress on the court. He’s now doing some movement work in drills, getting up shots, but it is controlled. He hasn’t advanced to one-on-one or full-contact work yet. He’s not into any scrimmages, so it’s a little more than just spot shooting, but still a step away from anything live.”

There’s no denying that Doncic’s absence leaves a major void on the Lakers. After all, he was widely viewed as an MVP candidate for a large portion of the season, plus he was crowned the NBA’s scoring champion.

GettyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the second half of a game against the Chicago Bulls at Crypto.com Arena on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

In the absence of Doncic, the Lakers were able to take care of a young Rockets team that missed Kevin Durant. The second round gets extremely challenging, as the next opponent is the defending champs, who finished the year as the first seed in the Western Conference.

For the time being, the Lakers don’t seem to be anticipating a Doncic return early on in the series. For the time being, they are just happy to have him around.

“In the meantime, teammates say just having him back around the group matters,” Hubbarth finished. “This remains a slow build towards a return—not an imminent one.”

The Lakers and the Thunder are expected to meet on May 5 for Game 1, barring any changes in scheduling.