Pistons vs Cavaliers second round playoff series preview
A deep look at Pistons vs Cavaliers in the second round as Cade Cunningham faces Cleveland’s frontcourt in a pivotal NBA playoff series.
Luka Doncic is making progress but doesn’t seem to be anywhere near a return to the court.
The Los Angeles Lakers star has been ruled out for Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder with a left hamstring strain, according to the league’s injury report as of 8 p.m. ET on May 8.
The Lakers have been without their leading scorer since April 2 when he suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain in a loss against the Thunder. Doncic missed the Lakers’ remaining regular-season games and start of the postseason, including a first round, 4-2 series win against the Houston Rockets.
The Lakers advanced to face the Thunder in the conference semifinals, where they are down 2-0.
Doncic has been seen shooting at Lakers’ practices. He told reporters after their Wednesday practice that he is doing “everything he can” to get back on the court and join the team in the playoff battle amidst a championship chase.
“I’m feeling good and working out every day, trying to come back,” Doncic told reporters. “Right now, I’m running, but I haven’t done any contact.”
Luka Doncic injury timeline
Doncic injured the same hamstring earlier in the season during a Feb. 5 game against the Philadelphia 76ers. He missed four games.
Following his Grade 2 hamstring strain on April 2, doctors told Doncic that he’d be cleared in eight weeks from the original MRI test he received, he said. It’s been about five weeks since the injury.
During that time, the Lakers allowed Doncic to get platelet-rich plasma treatment in Spain. The hope was that the advanced treatment would speed Doncic’s recovery time.
According to the original timeline, Doncic has another three weeks but he wants to play.
“It’s very frustrating,” Doncic said. “I hope people understand how frustrating it is. All I want to do is play basketball, especially at this time. It’s the best time to play basketball. It’s very frustrating. To see what my team is doing, I’m very proud of them, but it’s been very tough.”
For what it’s worth, three weeks from now would be the middle of the Western Conference finals.
Lakers missing their leading scorer
His teammates miss him. There’s a void — a 33.5 points and 8.3 assists per game void.
“We don’t have a guy that averaged (like) 37 a game,” teammate LeBron James said after the Game 1 loss when asked about the Lakers’ “offensive issues.” “What’d he average 35? 33.5? … When you play against the world champions having a guy who averages 34, 6 and 8 or whatever it is, that’s special.”
Doncic knows. He’s trying to get back.
“I’m just doing everything I can,” Doncic told reporters after Wednesday’s practice. “Every day, I’m doing stuff I’m supposed to do. My doctor said eight weeks at the beginning of the first MRI, so just going day-by-day. I feel better everyday.”
This story has been updated with new information.
