LA Lakers star Luka Doncic is yet to appear in this season’s playoffs due to a Grade 2 hamstring strain. On Friday, a medical expert raised concerns about the effectiveness of Doncic’s injury treatment.
Sports medicine physician Jesse Morse, who often shares his insights about athletes’ injuries, tweeted Wednesday that Doncic could still miss about two weeks. This timeline would likely keep the Lakers star out for the rest of the second round.
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On Friday, Morse claimed that Doncic’s chosen treatment overseas, the platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, could hinder his return this season.
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“Choosing to get only PRP instead of stem cells is going to be the reason why Luka Dončić will fail to return during the 2025 NBA playoffs for the Lakers from his grade 2 hamstring strain,” Morse tweeted.
Morse then replied to an X user, saying he can “confidently say that whatever (Doncic) did, it wasn’t enough.” He added that he likely had a significant strain or partial tear, and there are more advanced treatment options.
On Wednesday, Doncic confirmed reports that he received platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections in Spain:
“I went to Spain to do PRP. Everybody knows that it’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 know and trust lots of people from Spain. Why I was in Spain so long is because I needed four days in between every shot. So I did it four times. So that’s why I stayed longer.”
According to reports, Luka Doncic traveled to Spain a few days after sustaining his injury on April 2. He has reportedly been around the team since the start of the Lakers’ first-round series against the Houston Rockets.
Luka Doncic says he is still unsure about his return
LA Lakers star Luka Doncic spoke about his hamstring injury for the first time on Wednesday. He told reporters that he still doesn’t know when he will be able to return to the court. The Lakers are on a 2-0 hole against the OKC Thunder in the second round.
“I’m just doing everything I can,” Doncic said Wednesday. “Like I said, every day I’m doing stuff I’m supposed to do. Obviously, recovering now, working. Doctors said eight weeks at the beginning of the first MRI. So, I’m just going day by day, and I feel better every day.”
Thursday marked five weeks from the day of his injury. Luka Doncic missed all of LA’s eight playoff games and could potentially miss more.
The Western Conference semifinals series between the Lakers and the Thunder shifts to Los Angeles for Games 3 and 4 on Saturday and Monday. If necessary, Game 5 will be on Wednesday in Oklahoma City.
Edited by Kim Daniel Rubinos
