Ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers‘ second-round series against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2026 NBA Playoffs, Luka Doncic continues to make progress in his rehab from a Grade 2 hamstring strain. However, the latest injury update indicates he is not cleared to return. For JJ Redick, the news doesn’t alter his plans, as Los Angeles had acknowledged the likelihood of this scenario.
“Doncic will be out to start this series against the Oklahoma City Thunder,” Shams Charania reported on ESPN. “The Lakers are evaluating Doncic on a week-to-week basis. It’s still a slow path on Doncic’s recovery. Still not full fledged running or full contact workouts.”
Though deflating, Charania’s report confirms what the Lakers had been expecting for a while. Redick and company know they are in for a steep climb if they want to take down the reigning NBA champions in the 2026 Playoffs. Fortunately for Los Angeles, LeBron James is playing some of the best basketball of his career—at 41—and Austin Reaves—though still finding his footing—is back in action.
Doncic set to miss 12th straight game
Since sustaining a Grade 2 hamstring strain during the 139–96 blowout loss to the Thunder on April 2, Doncic hasn’t stepped on the court in an NBA game. Curiously enough, he might make his long-awaited return against OKC, too.
JJ Redick head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Considering Doncic is trending to be sidelined for Games 1 and 2 of the series—both at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City—his missed games total could rise to 13 in a row. So far in the 2025–26 campaign, Doncic has been out for 24 games, six of which have come in the ongoing postseason.
Regardless, two absences were due to the birth of his daughter and were not injury-related. The Lakers have grown used to playing without Doncic at multiple points throughout the season. But this time’s different.
Lakers up for huge challenge
Overcoming Doncic’s absence when taking on the best team in the league might be an impossible task for the Purple and Gold. At least, the latest injury update didn’t come out of the blue for Redick and the Lakers. As it gears up for a tone-setting visit to the Big Friendly, Los Angeles hopes to come away with at least one win.
Any other outcome may put the Lakers in a world of trouble that not even Doncic may be able to pull them out of. That is, of course, if Doncic even comes back during the series. All signs indicate he will, but nothing can be taken for granted. If the Lakers aren’t careful, there may no longer be a series for Doncic to return to by the time he’s fully healed from the Grade 2 hamstring strain.
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