Lakers' Luka Doncic Updates Hamstring Injury Rehab, Talks Frustration of Missing NBA Playoff Games

As Luka Dončić continues to rehab from the hamstring injury that has kept him out of seven playoff games so far, the Los Angeles Lakers star opened up about the frustration of not being able to help his team right now.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Dončić called it "very frustrating" that he can't play and the injury is different than any he has ever had in his career as he is rehabbing every day in an attempt to get back on the court.

Dončić added that he was initially given an eight-week timeline to recover. The injury occurred in the third quarter of the Lakers' 139-96 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 2.

Eight weeks would have Dončić on track to return in early June, so that would presumably rule him out for the Western Conference Finals if the Lakers were to advance.

The Western Conference Finals have a tentative start date of May 20, with the NBA Finals scheduled to begin on June 3.

One positive sign is that Dončić said on Wednesday he has finally started running as part of his return-to-play program.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported on Sunday that the six-time All-Star has been on a "slow path" in his recovery and is being evaluated on a week-to-week basis by the Lakers.

The Lakers' offense has struggled in this postseason without Dončić. They have been held under 100 points in each of the last four games, including a 108-90 loss to the Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals on Tuesday.

Among the eight teams still in the playoffs, the Lakers have the worst offensive rating of 105.8. Their 90 points on Tuesday night were their fewest in a postseason game since 2021.

Dončić led the NBA in scoring during the regular season with 33.5 points per game. He was one of only two players to average at least 25.0 points, 8.0 assists and 7.0 rebounds in the regular season, along with Nikola Jokić.

The Lakers will look to rebound against the Thunder without Dončić in Game 2 at Paycom Center on Thursday at 9:30 p.m. ET.