The Los Angeles Lakers may have just run into an issue larger than the scope of their current season: A doctor has speculated that Luka Doncic may have a fracture in his spine. Brian Sutterer, a sports medicine doctor who frequently chimes in with opinions and analysis on social media, brought the potential issue to light during the Lakers’ Game 5 contest against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night.
Sutterer also added that the suddenness of the incident is what initially caught his eye, as the hyperextension that occurred when Doncic was fouled was brutal. Plus, according to the doctor, some spinal fractures can be missed on an x-ray.
While driving to the hoop, Doncic got hit by Rudy Gobert and Donte DiVincenzo, causing him to fall to the floor in a very awkward manner. Doncic immediately grabbed at his back.
Doctor warns that Luka Doncic injury in Game 5 of Lakers-Wolves could be spinal
As he was falling, his legs got caught somewhat beneath the rest of his body, jerking him backward and causing his neck to snap back a little bit.
The Lakers star shot his free throws before going back to the locker room (which allowed him to later return to the game).
Not trying to be dramatic, but Luka may have a fracture in his spine
— Brian Sutterer MD (@BrianSuttererMD) May 1, 2025
The sudden hyperextension and side bend is what concerned me. Subtle fractures can be easily missed on an xray.
— Brian Sutterer MD (@BrianSuttererMD) May 1, 2025
I don’t think the Lakers are doing anything dangerous letting him play though. Go based on pain/function. Longer he looks ok the less worried I’d be https://t.co/jDZ8cbsRLH
After the incident, Doncic was clearly walking with a limp, favoring his back in the process. And even when he came back into the game in the second half, he wasn’t moving right.
Other doctors on social media have also shared their thoughts on the matter. Dr. Evan Jeffries stated that he believes the injury could be a hyperextension.
Luka Doncic had his low back go into hypertension which could be an issue in this game
— Dr. Evan Jeffries, DPT (@GameInjuryDoc) May 1, 2025
He’s not walking well pic.twitter.com/NCvBiXJqUr
Regardless, seeing Doncic leave the game (though he did return) in such a manner is a concern that should worry Lakers fans way more than whether or not they get eliminated in the first round, especially if Sutterer’s analysis is eventually proved to be true.
Obviously, there’s a chance that Sutterer’s observation is incorrect. Perhaps Doncic is simply dealing with a hyperextension of some sort. But if it’s even close to the reality of the situation, Doncic’s injury could stretch well beyond the confines of the first round.
According to Cleveland Clinic, spinal fractures that don’t require surgery take around three months to heal, and most don’t. However, if the fracture is an unstable fracture rather than a stable fracture, the complications could be much worse.
The fact that Doncic returned to the game following the injury likely bodes well for his overall health, but he was still moving extremely gingerly, even after going up for layups.
Lakers fans should keep a very close eye on Doncic in the coming weeks. Injuries of any kind can be scary. Injuries that involve the back, and in particular, the spine, can be even worse.