Luka Doncic finally addressed the growing questions surrounding his playoff absence on Wednesday, delivering an update that offered little encouragement for Los Angeles Lakers fans hoping for a dramatic return. The six-time All-Star revealed that he traveled to Spain for platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment as he continues to recover from a Grade 2 hamstring strain that has sidelined him since April 2. While the Lakers battle through the postseason without their leading star, Doncic admitted that watching from the sidelines has been harder than many realize.
Luka Doncic Addresses Playoff Miss
Doncic explained that the decision to seek treatment in Spain came after thorough discussions with the Lakers' medical staff. “I went to Spain to do PRP,” Doncic told reporters. “Everybody knows that it’s one of the best countries to do that. Obviously, we talked with the Lakers doctors, so everybody agreed for me to go there.”
The recovery process turned into a lengthy stay overseas. According to Doncic, each injection required four days of rest before the next session could begin. “I know and trust lots of people in Spain that I used to work with before. I needed four days in between every shot. I did it four times, so that’s why I stayed longer,” he said.
Even though Doncic has resumed running, contact work has not yet started. This reality makes a quick playoff comeback increasingly difficult, especially with games arriving every other night during the series. Los Angeles dropped Game 1 of its Western Conference semifinal series against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night, falling 108-90 despite a spirited effort led by LeBron James. With Oklahoma City already holding a 1-0 series lead, the conversation naturally shifted toward whether Doncic could realistically return before the series slips away.
The emotional toll seems to weigh on him more than the timeline itself. “It’s very frustrating. I don’t think people understand how frustrating it is,” Doncic said. “All I want to do is play basketball, especially this time. It’s the best time to play basketball. It’s very frustrating to see what my team is doing, I’m very proud of them, but it’s been very tough to watch.”
When Will Luka Doncic Return to Lakers' Roster?
For now, Doncic appears focused on avoiding a setback rather than forcing an early return. He admitted that past experiences have shaped the cautious approach this time around. “It’s a tough one for me. I’ve come back from injuries too soon before, and it wasn’t the best result. This is the first time I have a hamstring injury. It’s not the same like other injuries. You have to be very careful. I’m doing everything to come back,” he said.
Doncic also shared that doctors initially projected an eight-week recovery timeline following the MRI evaluation. Based on that estimate, a return before the end of this series would be difficult unless recovery accelerates significantly. Meanwhile, the Thunder head into Game 2 on Thursday with momentum already on their side, even after an unusually quiet night from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Lakers managed to stay competitive for stretches without Doncic, but the margin for error is shrinking.
