A new update on Luka Doncic following news of his hamstring injury.
The Los Angeles Lakers had a tough trip to Oklahoma City on April 2, as not only did they lost the game 139-96, they lost Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves to injury.
Doncic's injury came in the third quarter with the Lakers already down big, but hoping to cut into the lead before JJ Redick officially pulled the plug.
As Doncic was making a move towards the basket, he came up limp and immediately grabbed at his hamstring, flicking the ball out of bounds. Doncic went to the floor to compose himself as players and staff attended to him before he was helped off the floor.
Luka Update
It was reported the following day that Doncic would be out for at least the rest of the regular season with a Grade 2 hamstring strain.
In a new report, ESPN's Shams Charania, Doncic's agent Bill Duffy stated, "After consultation with Lakers doctors and his own medical team, Luka Doncic will seek specialized medical treatment in Europe on his Grade 2 left hamstring in an attempt to expedite his return to play."
The regular season ends on Sunday, but the Lakers have clinched an outright playoff spot, meaning they'll get nearly an extra week of rest as the Play-In tournament unfolds.
It remains to be seen if Doncic can return in time for the first round of the playoffs.
Injuries And Europe
Doncic dealt with a hamstring issue in February that caused him to miss four games ahead of the All-Star break.
In previous seasons, he's dealt with knee, ankle, and calf issues that have kept him sidelined for a number of games or hampered his effectiveness on the court.
Going to Europe for treatment is nothing new, as Lakers fans will famously remember Kobe Bryant traveling to Germany in 2013 to undergo Orthokine/Regenokine platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy on his right knee to assist with knee issues.
The Lakers are hobbling as the regular season comes to a close, as not only is Doncic sidelined through the end of the regular season, but Austin Reaves is also expected to miss the rest of the regular season. Reaves was clearly bothered during the game against the Thunder, and it was later reported that he was dealing with an oblique issue.
Reaves and Doncic are two-thirds of the Lakers' three-headed tandem alongside LeBron James, but an overlooked injury is the one to Marcus Smart, who has been sidelined since March 21 with an ankle injury. The veteran has been a key connector on offense and defense for the Lakers this season, and his presence has been missed in recent losses.