Although various reporters have provided updates on Luka Doncic‘s status as he recovers from a hamstring strain – including ESPN’s Shams Charania referring to him over the weekend as “week to week” – the Lakers haven’t offered many hints about when they expect the star guard back — or even if they think he’ll return at all before their season is over.
As Johnny Askounis of Eurohoops writes, head coach JJ Redick simply told reporters after Sunday’s practice that there’s “no update” on Doncic. On Monday, the Lakers formally ruled him out for Tuesday’s Game 1, while the Thunder did the same with injured forward Jalen Williams, who is dealing with a left hamstring injury of his own, per Cliff Brunt of The Associated Press.
In a roundtable discussing the series, Justin Martinez, Joe Mussatto, and Jenni Carlson of The Oklahoman suggest that Williams – who suffered a Grade 1 strain compared to a Grade 2 strain for Doncic – is probably ahead of Luka in the recovery process. However, The Oklahoman’s trio also suggests that the Thunder don’t necessarily need Williams back to win this series, whereas it’s hard to imagine the Lakers having a legitimate shot if Doncic doesn’t play.
Still, Redick remains confident in his team, noting that its success down the stretch of the regular season and in the first round wasn’t about the contributions of a single player.
“I remember there was a press conference that we did after one of our games during our 16-2 stretch,” Redick said after the Lakers closed out Houston on Friday, per Benjamin Royer of the Southern California News Group. “And you guys were like really hammering home a point about a specific player. … I said, ‘The reason our team is winning is because of our team, because each guy is starring in his role and contributing to winning.’ And that’s the story of this playoff series for us, where each guy had moments that helped us win the game.”
Here’s more on the Lakers:
- If the Lakers are going to have a legitimate chance to upset the Thunder, they’ll need a huge series from former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton, the player who “changes our ceiling the most,” according to Redick. Ayton said his goal against the defending champions is to play “bigger” and to be “relentless on the glass,” writes Broderick Turner of The Los Angeles Times.
- Marcus Smart is another key contributor for Los Angeles, and he and Ayton have been linked together all season after accepting buyouts and then joining the Lakers on discounted deals that feature second-year player option, notes Dan Woike of The Athletic. “We’re both trying to get our names back into the good graces of the basketball gods and just show what we still can do,” Smart said of himself and Ayton.
- Melissa Rohlin of the California Post identifies Luke Kennard as the Lakers’ X-factor in the second round, arguing that the sharpshooter needs to be less deferential and look to recapture his shooting touch after scoring just 11 points on 4-of-18 shooting in the final three games of the first round. Kennard is on an expiring contract, so a strong performance vs. the Thunder could help earn him a stronger payday in free agency.
- In an interesting story for ESPN.com, Dave McMenamin shares several highlights from an ongoing conversation he maintained with Lakers star LeBron James in eight cities across the entire 2025/26 season. The wide-ranging discussion includes McMenamin doing his best to get James’ thoughts on how he stacks up to Michael Jordan. “I never have compared myself to MJ because our games are totally different,” LeBron said. “I have been a point-forward/forward-point my whole life. I have always looked for the pass. MJ kind of looked for the shot. Not kind of, he did. He looked for the shot. There are a lot of things where I would say my game is a lot different and a little better than his, but s–t, he was f—ing great. We’re both great. We’re both great basketball players.”
It really is unfortunate about Doncic. Having watched him with the Mavericks the last several years I felt like he wasn’t truly Luka Magic most of the season then February and on (right after after that spat he had with Redick during the game) he started being himself and owning the team.
With LeBron agreeing to play forward without the ball, Ayton upping his game, Smart X factor, Kennard acquisition, I do believe this would have been a competitive series with a fully healthy Luka and Reaves.
Lakers get swept and it’s not really close. They’ll lose a couple by less than 10 and get blown out in 2 games.
OKC in 5, I would give the Laker one game probably game 3. OKC better defensive team, better clutch player in SGA, overall better and deeper talent. Lebron and Reeves will carry the Lakers, no Luka, cannot depend on Ayton game in game out. Lebron at 41 how much is left in the tank, will have to play at least 40 to 43 minutes a game, Reeves about the same. OKC is so much better than Houston, better shooters, better talent 1 through 10. Nope OKC in 5 maybe 4 but I give the Lakers one game.
It’s only about the referees. No one knows what they are talking about until they see how the series is going to be officiated
Luka saving himself up for when he goes back to the Mavericks in 2028.
Luka will go to the Wizards before he goes back to the Mavs. Definitely never under Dumont and the Addelsons.
That will never happen, like never ever ever ever… you get the point, right?
We’ll see…
Come on LeBron you and clutch sports have been yourself to Jordan for year after year. You did a interview were you said the 2016 (draymond Green suspension) made you the 🐐. Not 5,6,7,8,9. Right. It’s not close.
The rockets were trash. Shot the rockets had was with KD and he killed his legacy not playing and out performing an old Bron. I don’t understand why a lot of these old stores are still playing. The only thing you’re doing at this point is tainting your legacy further. The rockets need a point guard bad. They need a backup too. This point KD cannot carry you to a championship. Just like LeBron can’t. Old stars don’t win.
Cope harder boss. Your comments calling the Houston Rockets actual contenders are very much still up.
If you think picking OKC over this Lakers team makes you the smartest guy in the room I have some bad news for you.
Good afternoon dingleberry. I have no post ever say KD and the rockets are contenders. KD would never be a contender on any team he leads. Outside of Curry he has failed at two super teams and is not a leader. Huston beating the Lakers with out Luka does nothing. Just like LeBron beating Houston is not that big of a deal. Huston lost too a 6 seed last year. So your deep throating of LeBron is not going to get you anywhere.
April 4th on a post titled “Luka Doncic Diagnosed With Grade 2 Left Hamstring Strain”
BuyingBuckets on the Knicks being contenders –
“So you think they (the Knicks) can beat OKC? Do you think they can beat San Antonio? Do you think they can beat Houston? If you say yes you’re lying”
Seems to me you equated the Houston Rockets with the Spurs and OKC being actual contenders oppose to the Knicks but I’m sure you have some backwards logic to talk yourself out of that take.
You continue in that same comment to reference those teams and how the Lakers match up to them –
“Don’t make excuses for the Lakers talking about the playoffs or about match up when I just named 4 teams that they would have to match up with at least 2 of those teams they would have to play and they’re not beating any 4 of those teams”
This was 4 weeks ago. Thanks for playing.
Na that’s not what is was doing good try. I was saying the Lakers most likely could not beat a healthy Houston team with out Luka and AR. Good try dingleberry
AHAHAHAHAHAH
STOP YAPPING BUD
Aww man you’re young I see. Using tick tock slang. Man stay off of social media and the brain rot. I appreciate you letting me know you’re a young pup dingleberry
Lmao the term yapping is certainly older than “brain rot” but that’s neither here nor there.
Plenty of other comments you’ll get to defend. You have a laundry list of asinine statements that I intend to make you answer for. Run along and watch your Lebron highlights.
Haha nope at my beach house enjoying the weather. I appreciate it dingleberry. One day I’ll be wrong and you will be able to celebrate your victory young pup.
Hahaha!
Lay off the Mai Tais there, Bench Rider.
Buying is a troll who hates the rockets just ignore him. If rockets had FVV or Adams they win that series luka or no Luka doesn’t matter. Rockets still have a great future with the suns picks and a pick swap with the nets. Amen Thompson is a top 5 defender in the league and only getting better.
Gentleman sweep incoming Thunder in 5
Haha how do I hate the rockets. What happens when people post on here without any analysis at all?. What part of my comment is untrue? Did the rockets have a point guard this year? NO. Didn’t I say when they didn’t make a trade at the deadline that they pretty much lost their whole season by not having a point guard? I said it Garry said it AL said it. Plenty of posters on here who said it. So what part of that is trolling. When is the last time KD has won meangful basketball? So was I wrong to say KD was going to lead you?
But not least whenever you start a sentence if we weren’t injured. If you’ve ever played a lick of any type of competitive sports, what’s the best ability? AVAILABLE!!!! So how am I trolling if every piece I said is true.
Deflected and started talking about the future. Nobody was talking about next year. We’re talking about this year
OKC just plugs in a defensive guy for no downgrade from Jalen. Prob overpaid that guy. OKC really is a ridiculously deep team and it partly why SGA isn’t the MVP.
If Lakers are counting on Ayton to be “big” and crash the glass to win the series they are in trouble. He flourishes in low pressure situations.
LeBron’s playoff record against a defending champion opponent……..
*3 such instances…….5-11 record
*all since age 31
On 4th instance:
5-12
(FIVE and TWELVE)
Must be a confusing match up for league officials. Who gets the free throws they don’t deserve more in this series.