Luka Doncic injury update: Latest as Lakers star returns to Los Angeles
Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves have each been out since April 2, but there are new updates on the Los Angeles Lakers stars.
The Los Angeles Lakers are gearing up to host the Houston Rockets in the first round of the NBA Playoffs on Saturday, April 18. The Lakers managed to snag the No. 4 seed in the West to clinch home court advantage in the opening series, but they'll likely have to take on Houston without two of their biggest contributors.
Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves have each been out since the Lakers' 139-96 blowout loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 2, but there are new updates on the L. A. stars.
News emerged, during a segment on ESPN's NBA Today Monday, April 13, that Dončić is reportedly traveling back to the United States after undergoing "multiple" injections on his left hamstring over the last week in Spain to promote healing from his grade 2 strain and potentially expedite his return to the floor. On Lakers star Luka Doncic’s impending return to the U. S.
after treatments in Spain for NBA Today: pic. twitter. com/ZWWSelaZ5L — Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 13, 2026 He is expected to rejoin the Lakers by Friday, April 17, though it remains unclear whether or not the treatment has sped up his recovery timeline from the standard 4-6 weeks.