Luka Doncic calls out NBA media reports after Lakers’ playoff exit to Thunder
Luka Doncic pushed back against media speculation surrounding his injury status after the Los Angeles Lakers were swept out of the 2026 NBA playoffs by the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder . The Lakers’ season ended Monday night with a 115-110 loss in Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals at Crypto. com Arena.
While the Thunder completed a dominant 4-0 series sweep, much of the post-series attention centered on Doncic’s absence and his frustration with recent reporting about his recovery. Doncic missed the entire series because of a Grade 2 left hamstring strain suffered on April 2 during a regular-season loss against Oklahoma City. Reports before the series claimed the five-time All-Star was progressing slowly and had not resumed full-contact workouts.
MORE: Lakers’ Luka Doncic draws fresh criticism from Ric Flair Speaking to reporters after the elimination, Doncic strongly denied suggestions that he was close to returning. “I mean, yeah, it’s very frustrating,” Doncic said. “I know some people wanted me back, but obviously, I wasn’t close to clearing.
You know, there was some stuff in the media that went out that wasn’t true. Nobody of those people saw my MRIs, knew nothing, so it wasn’t really true. If I could be out there, I would be 100%.
Everybody in that room knows that. ” The comments appeared directed at ESPN insider Shams Charania, who reported before the matchup that Doncic would miss the start of the series because of a ‘slow path’ in his recovery. “I’m told Luka will be out to start the series…,” Charania said .