Luka Dončić has provided an update on his hamstring injury, and it comes as a blow to the Los Angeles Lakers’ hopes of making a deep NBA Playoffs run.
The Slovenian, who suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain in early April, has now revealed a possible return timeline.
NBA World Reacts to Luka Dončić’s Injury Update
During his media availability on Wednesday, Dončić shared that the doctors told him, when he suffered his injury, that he would be sidelined for about 8 weeks.
The guard added that he is doing all he can to shorten that timetable. But it remains to be seen if he will be able to play for the Lakers this postseason.
Underdog NBA shared some of Dončić’s quotes from his media availability.
“I don’t think people understand how frustrating it is. All I wanna do is play basketball, especially this time (of the year)… Seeing what my team is doing, I’m very proud of them. It’s been very tough just to sit and watch them play,” he said.
Luka Doncic: “I don’t think people understand how frustrating it is. All I wanna do is play basketball, especially this time (of year) … Seeing what my team is doing, I’m very proud of them. It’s been very tough just to sit and watch them play.”pic.twitter.com/sJdX0FBwv3
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) May 6, 2026
MORE: How Long Will Luka Dončić Be Out? Lakers Star Reveals Concerning Injury Update That Changes Return Timeline
NBA analyst Rachel Nichols stated that, per Dončić’s statement, he is still about 2-3 weeks away from returning.
“Luka Dončić giving his first media availability since getting injured – says doctors initially told him he’d be out two months. That was about five weeks ago. Says he’s doing everything he can to collapse that timeline,” she wrote on X.
Luka Doncic giving his first media availability since getting injured – says doctors initially told him he’d be out two months. That was about five weeks ago. Says he’s doing everything he can to collapse that timeline.
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) May 6, 2026
PFSN’s basketball analyst Alex Kennedy noted that the timeline for Dončić’s return has shifted from around 4-6 weeks previously to 8 weeks.
“Whoa, I believe this is the first time we’ve heard 8 weeks as the initial recovery timeline,” he wrote.
Whoa, I believe this is the first time we’ve heard 8 weeks as the initial recovery timeline.
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) May 6, 2026
Sports injuries specialist Jesse Morse, M.D., predicted when Dončić could return to action.
“Luka Dončić is still 1-2 weeks away. Likely had a pretty significant grade 2 hamstring strain / partial tear,” he wrote.
Luka Doncic is still 1-2 weeks away.
Likely had a pretty significant grade 2 hamstring strain / partial tear.
— Jesse Morse, M.D. (@DrJesseMorse) May 6, 2026
A Lakers fan called for Dončić to take his time with his rehab rather than risking a more serious injury by returning early.
“Take ya time Luka. Don’t risk it. Them hamstring injuries ain’t no joke,” they wrote.
Take ya time Luka. Don’t risk it. Them hamstring injuries ain’t no joke
— Lakers Empire (@LakersEmpire) May 6, 2026
A Lakers news page noted that per the current timeline, Dončić could be out until the NBA Finals (due to begin on June 3).
“So Luka would be out until the NBA Finals,” they wrote.
So Luka would be out until the nba finals😭😭
— PlayoffLAL (@PlayoffLAL) May 6, 2026
Another media personality called on the Lakers to shift their focus to the offseason and find a partner team to facilitate a sign-and-trade for Austin Reaves.
“Luka is done playing basketball this season. Now figure out a sign & trade for Reaves this summer,” they wrote.
Luka is done playing basketball this season. Now figure out a sign & trade for Reaves this Summer
— 73-9 and THEY LIED (@CuffsTheLegend) May 6, 2026
A Lakers fan was dejected by the update from Dončić. “Our season will be done wayyyyyy before he’s ready to come back,” they wrote.
Our season will be done wayyyyyy before he’s ready to come back #lakeshow
— 🇧🇿 Stefan 🇧🇿 (@laker72289) May 6, 2026
Another Lakers fan doubted Dončić would play this postseason, especially after the Lakers fell 1-0 to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Semifinals.
“I’m glad that we got the response from the man himself. If Lakers were ever to pull off a miracle, Luka would be that close to return. Seeing this now and what we’re seeing towards the end, he’s never coming back. It is what it is. Also, Shams has to do a better job on his work,” they wrote.
I’m glad that we got the response from the man himself. If Lakers were ever to pull off a miracle, Luka would be that close to return. Seeing this now and what we’re seeing towards the end, he’s never coming back. It is what it is. Also, Shams has to do a better job on his work.
— Mateo Kokic (@MateoKokic1) May 6, 2026
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers are preparing for Game 2 of their series against the Oklahoma City Thunder. LeBron James and co. will hope to claim a road win when the two sides meet on Thursday (tip-off at 9:30 p.m. ET).