Luka Doncic addressed his recovery status ahead of Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night at Paycom Center, with Los Angeles trailing 1-0 in the series.
Asked about his condition on Wednesday, May 6, Doncic responded: “Feeling good. Obviously this is a different injury than I ever had. It’s been the second time. I did the hamstring obviously way less at the end of April, end of January. Recovery has been a little bit longer, but I’m feeling good, working every day. I’m trying to come back.”
He confirmed he has returned to light running but has not been cleared for contact. “Yeah, I’m running right now, but I haven’t done any contact yet.”
Doncic also outlined the original medical projection following imaging. “No, the moment I did the MRI on the hamstring, the doctor told me eight weeks at the beginning. I’m doing everything I can in the process. I think we’re on a good way, but at the beginning they told me eight weeks.”
The Lakers star explained his rehabilitation trip to Spain, where he underwent PRP treatment. “Yeah, I went to Spain to do PRP. Everybody knows that’s one of the best countries to do that. Obviously we talked with the Lakers doctors, so everybody agreed for me to go there. I trust a lot of people from Spain that I used to work with before. Why I was in Spain so long is because I needed four days in between every shot, so I did it four times. That’s why I stayed longer.”
He also spoke openly about the frustration of being sidelined during a playoff run. “It’s very frustrating. I don’t think people understand how frustrating it is. All I want to do is play basketball, especially in this time. It’s the best time to play basketball. It’s very frustrating. Seeing what my team is doing, I’m very proud of them, but it’s been very tough just to see it and watch them play.”
Despite his absence, Doncic praised the Lakers’ resilience. “Everything. Everybody had us out. Everybody had us finished in six or five games, and we proved that we can play. The way everybody stepped up is truly amazing to see.”
On Austin Reaves’ recent struggles, his message stayed simple. “My message to him is just be yourself. We all know he’s an amazing player and we all know he’s going to bounce back.”
Regarding the Thunder matchup and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, he acknowledged the challenge without revisiting past series. “I don’t want to talk much about the past, but obviously they’re the best team in the NBA right now. They have so many guys that can play. It’s very tough.”
On his own return timeline, Doncic remained tied to medical guidance. “I’m just doing everything I can. Like I said, every day I’m doing what I’m supposed to do. Recovery now, working. But like I said, the doctor said eight weeks at the beginning of the first MRI, so just going day by day and I feel better every day.”
