OKLAHOMA CITY — Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic continues his recovery from a Grade 2 left hamstring strain suffered more than a month ago, with the latest updates indicating he remains on a cautious, week-to-week timeline and is not expected to return for the early games of the Western Conference semifinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Doncic has not played since April 2, when he suffered the injury in a blowout loss to the very Thunder team the Lakers now face in the playoffs. As of May 6-7, 2026, he is progressing with on-court work but has not advanced to full-speed running or full-contact sessions, according to multiple reports.

Lakers coach JJ Redick has provided no firm update on a return date, while ESPN's Shams Charania and Brian Windhorst describe the recovery as a "slow path." Charania reported Sunday that Doncic "will be out to start this series" and is still not doing full-fledged running or contact work.

Timeline and Recovery Details

A typical Grade 2 hamstring strain recovery spans four to eight weeks. Doncic is now past the five-week mark since the initial injury. Doctors initially projected up to eight weeks, a timeline the Slovenian star referenced in recent comments: "The doctor said........

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