LOS ANGELES (AP) — Luka Doncic will miss the remainder of the regular season after suffering a Grade 2 strain of his left hamstring, the Los Angeles Lakers announced Friday, April 3.
Doncic sustained the injury during the Lakers’ loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday, and an MRI later confirmed the severity of the strain.
The Lakers, who hold a 50-27 record and sit third in the Western Conference, have five regular-season games remaining before the playoffs. Grade 2 hamstring strains typically require several weeks of recovery.
Doncic, in his first full season with Los Angeles after joining from the Dallas Mavericks, is averaging 33.5 points, 8.3 assists and 7.7 rebounds per game. He scored 600 points in March and recorded 13 consecutive 30-point games, including multiple 40-point performances.
Despite leading the league in scoring, Doncic has appeared in 64 games this season, one short of the 65-game minimum required for eligibility for major postseason awards, including All-NBA honors and Most Valuable Player consideration.
Coach JJ Redick said Doncic initially injured his hamstring in the first half against Oklahoma City but briefly returned before leaving the game due to pain.
The Lakers close their regular season on April 12 against the Utah Jazz, with the playoffs expected to begin the following weekend.