Luka Dončić is taking an unconventional route in a race against time. The Los Angeles Lakers star is set to travel to Europe for specialized treatment on a Grade 2 hamstring strain, hoping to accelerate his recovery ahead of the NBA playoffs.
The injury, suffered in a heavy loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, has already ruled him out for the remainder of the regular season. A standard recovery timeline for this type of strain is around a month—long enough to potentially sideline him for the entire first round, according to a report from Reuters.
That’s why Dončić and his team are exploring alternative options abroad. The decision came after discussions between Lakers medical staff and his personal doctors, with the goal of speeding up the healing process—though it’s not without risk given how delicate hamstring injuries can be.
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The timing couldn’t be worse for Los Angeles. Dončić has been the focal point of the team all season, leading the league in scoring while also topping the Lakers in assists and steals. His absence leaves a massive gap, especially with Austin Reaves also sidelined for several weeks with an oblique injury.
With just a handful of games left in the regular season, the Lakers are locked in a tight battle for playoff positioning in the Western Conference. Without their two main creators, there’s a real risk of slipping in the standings—and losing home-court advantage in the process.
Still, the focus now is simple: get Dončić back in time. The playoffs are just around the corner, and whether this gamble on European treatment pays off could define the Lakers’ postseason hopes.
After consultation with Lakers doctors and his own medical team, Luka Doncic will seek specialized medical treatment in Europe on his Grade 2 left hamstring in an attempt to expedite his return to play, agent Bill Duffy of WME Basketball tells me and @mcten. pic.twitter.com/qutILIxzMK
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 6, 2026
