NBA: Luka Doncic to return to L.A. Friday; game status unknown – report

Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić is expected to return to Los Angeles on Friday after receiving specialized treatment for his Grade 2 left hamstring strain in Europe, according to ESPN. However, the exact timeline for his return to game action remains uncertain.

The 27-year-old Dončić reportedly spent a week in Spain, where he received multiple injections to treat the injury he sustained during the Lakers’ 139-96 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 2. The following day, an MRI revealed the severity of the strain, leading to the announcement that Dončić would miss the remainder of the regular season.

Since then, the Lakers have not provided further updates on his condition or expected return date.

Typically, the recovery time for a Grade 2 hamstring strain is about a month, which means the NBA's leading scorer (33.5 points per game) and Los Angeles’ leader in assists (8.3) and steals (1.6) could miss the entire first round of the playoffs.

The Lakers, who are the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference, are set to begin their first-round series against the No. 5 seed Houston Rockets this Saturday.

In addition to Dončić’s injury, the Lakers are also without Austin Reaves, who is sidelined with a Grade 2 left oblique strain. Reaves, who averages 23.3 points and 5.5 assists per game, is expected to be out for four to six weeks.

Despite the loss of both key players, Los Angeles finished the regular season with a 3-2 record after Dončić and Reaves were sidelined.

-Field Level Media/Reuters