A medical trip to Spain has revealed that Luka Doncic’s hamstring injury is far more severe than initially reported, dealing a major blow to the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Lakers were eliminated from the 2025-26 season on Tuesday, falling 115-110 to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a four-game sweep. Doncic, who watched from the sidelines, also announced on Instagram that he will not play for Slovenia this summer, citing his focus on custody battles for his daughters. He stated that his responsibilities as a father outweigh his international basketball career after months of limited contact.
According to a report from the New York Times, a follow-up evaluation in Spain revealed that Doncic’s hamstring injury, originally diagnosed as a Grade 2 strain in Dallas, is actually “deeper and more serious.” This discovery effectively ruled out any chance of him playing in the playoffs, leaving the Lakers without their superstar against an imposing Thunder defense.
The severity of the injury also raised questions about Doncic’s ability to contribute from the bench. When asked by The Athletic’s reporter Lou Murray about Doncic’s role in drawing up plays or inspiring teammates, Lakers head coach JJ Redick bluntly responded that he hasn’t seen much contribution from Doncic and is unsure what the star says to teammates during heated moments.
Despite remaining the team’s most prominent supporter, Doncic’s significant injury, combined with Oklahoma City’s dominant performance, ultimately proved too much for a shorthanded Lakers squad.