When will Luka Dončić return from injury for Lakers?

Steph Curry's injury status isn't the only important player's health to monitor in Thursday's Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers game. In the case of superstar Luka Dončić, who pulled his hamstring in a loss to the reigning NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder last Friday , it might unfortunately also be a long-term issue.

You see, hamstring injuries are already tricky and finicky enough in themselves. For Dončić, he suffered a grade 2 strain, which is considered more serious and often needs at least 4-6 weeks to fully recover. Which, to be clear, is a timeline for a normal person with a job and general existence that doesn't require playing explosive, high-level, professional basketball.

It goes without saying that Dončić is obviously out for the Warriors matchup. What makes this injury situation curious is whether the Lakers' franchise star plays in the upcoming playoffs. Regardless of whether the Lakers have their first playoff game on April 18th or 19th, Dončić will have had only about two weeks to heal from his hamstring injury.

Yikes. That's, to put it lightly, probably not nearly enough time for a player who relies so much on stopping and starting and decelerating in his individual game. No wonder Dončić recently went to Europe for "specialized" treatment on his injury .