Luka Dončić ruled out a day of ahead of Lakers-Thunder Game 1
Dončić's availability moving forward against the Thunder remains unclear beyond Game 1. But being ruled out a day ahead of time is generally not a good sign of a quick return.
The Los Angeles Lakers ruled out Luka Dončić on Monday, a day before they play the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series. Dončić remains sidelined with a Grade 2 hamstring strain. He missed the final six games of the regular season with the injury and the entirety of the Lakers’ first-round playoff win over Houston Rockets.
His availability moving forward against the Thunder remains unclear beyond Game 1. But being ruled out a day ahead of time is generally not a good sign of a quick return. Luka Dončić in street clothes is becoming a familiar sight on the Lakers' bench.
MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images via Getty Images Luka reportedly on ‘slow’ path to recovery The Lakers won in Round 1 despite Dončić’s absence and Austin Reaves missing the first three games of the series. The Rockets were also playing shorthanded with Kevin Durant sidelined for five of the series’ six games. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Sunday that Dončić remains on “a slow path” to recovery and hasn’t returned to full-contact workouts.
He’s still considered week-to-week, per the report. When asked on Sunday about Dončić’s availability for Game 1, Lakers coach JJ Redick said this : I don't have any updates on Luka. " OKC a much stiffer test for Luka-less Lakers For Game 1 and perhaps beyond, the Lakers will play without their All-NBA guard who led the league in scoring with 33.