{"id":187437,"date":"2026-04-06T18:54:17","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T22:54:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=187437"},"modified":"2026-04-06T18:54:17","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T22:54:17","slug":"luka-doncic-expedite-lakers-return-injury-update","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/04\/06\/luka-doncic-expedite-lakers-return-injury-update\/","title":{"rendered":"Luka Doncic ‘Doing Everything He Can’ to Expedite Return to Lakers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Days after <\/span>Luka Doncic<\/span><\/a> was diagnosed with a <\/span>Grade 2 hamstring strain<\/span><\/a>\u2014which typically carries a recovery timeline of 4-6 weeks\u2014the Lakers star is reportedly going to great lengths to speed up the process, aiming to return during LA\u2019s playoff run.<\/span><\/p>\n

Luka Doncic ‘Doing Everything He Can’ to Expedite Return to Lakers<\/h2>\n

Shams Charania: Doncic Going Abroad for Treatment<\/h3>\n

ESPN\u2019s Shams Charania <\/span>confirmed<\/span><\/a> Monday that Doncic traveled to Spain to receive injections in his hamstring.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m told Luka Doncic is currently in Spain. He traveled there to undergo an injection in that Grade 2 hamstring area to see if he can promote healing and, at the end of the day, expedite his return process,” Charania said. “He\u2019s doing everything he can to make it back onto the court. We know a Grade 2 hamstring strain typically falls between four to six weeks. He\u2019s doing everything he can to see if he can push that timeline up just a little bit.”<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re still not sure exactly how this treatment goes,” he continued. “Does it work? How much does it speed everything up? But that\u2019s what he\u2019s doing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

With <\/span>Austin Reaves<\/span><\/a> also out 4-6 weeks with a Grade 2 oblique strain, Charania noted the Lakers\u2019 goal is to have both of them back during the playoffs. He echoed the sentiment of head coach JJ Redick, who <\/span>said<\/span><\/a>, \u201cIt\u2019s our job to extend the season so that they can come back.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/smartframe-embed><\/p>\n

Feasible Solution Lying in Wait<\/h3>\n

The Lakers\u2019 narrow loss to the Dallas Mavericks showed that while <\/span>key contributors can step up<\/span><\/a> alongside <\/span>LeBron James<\/span><\/a>, relying on the same seven or eight guys will not be enough. In the wake of Sunday\u2019s results, some fans criticized Redick for not giving the team\u2019s younger players a chance\u2014a valid argument with the season winding down and depth remaining a concern.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

This is JJ's fault. <\/p>\n

Lakers recalled Dalton Knecht, Nick Smith, Adou Thiero, and Kobe Bufkin. Pretty much the best players, and JJ didn't even play them. He sabotaged the G League team. https:\/\/t.co\/PSOzKBfUtH<\/a><\/p>\n

— Devin \u2600\ufe0f (@DevDock) April 6, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n