Luka Doncic has been out of action since suffering a grade 2 hamstring strain April 2. Typically, the expected time missed for that type of injury would be four to six weeks. The four-week mark has passed, leaving many Los Angeles Lakers fans wondering how much longer until their superstar point guard is back. Those folks may need to reset their expectations after the latest update.
The hamstring injury suffered by Doncic was never given that exact timeline. For the most part, the Lakers were consistent about using the word "indefinitely" when talking about Doncic's ailment. After a recent update from Dan Woike, it now makes sense why.
The Lakers writer reported: "Luka Doncic says he’s begun running, but he’s yet to be cleared for full contact. Says timetable that was originally given to him was 8 weeks."
With the added bit of information provided by Woike at the back end of that statement, Doncic would currently be only halfway through his prognosed recovery timeline. If that is all true, Lakers fans will need to wrestle with the idea of their team needing to overcome the current challenge ahead without Doncic in the mix.
It sure sounds like Luka Doncic could miss the entire Thunder series
If the second-round matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder went the distance, Game 7 of the series would be on May 18. Meanwhile, an eight-week timeline sets Doncic up for a potential return that is closer to the end of the month.
That immediately creates a terrifying reality for the Lakers. If they want to give their superstar a chance to play again this season, that would likely mean having to topple the Thunder without him. Naturally, that is a very daunting task.
A lot of things went right for the Lakers in Game 1. Even with that being true, the longer the contest went on, the more it slipped away from Los Angeles.
The Lakers had a strong punch from the get-go, but the Thunder just delivered so many counters throughout the night that Los Angeles' effort eventually went to waste. Despite brilliantly limiting Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to one of his worst performances of the season, LA still lost by 18.
The unfortunate truth for the Lakers during the playoffs is that offense has been hard to come by. LeBron James did not even shy away from talking about just how much Doncic mattered in that department after the Game 1 loss in Oklahoma City.
"I’m just doing everything I can … Every day I’m doing things I’m supposed to do," Doncic told reporters on Wednesday.
Unfortunately for the Lakers, even the prospects of shaving, let's say, a week off that original prognosis would still not have him back in time to face the Thunder. It is clear Los Angeles should not be weighing all their hopes on Doncic swooping in to save the day against Oklahoma City.
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