Luka Dončić not expected back until May 12 as Lakers face Thunder in West semifinals

Los Angeles Lakers forward Luka Dončić suffered a right hamstring muscle injury in early April and has been receiving specialized treatment in Madrid. Team doctors say he is not close to returning to the court, with the earliest realistic comeback projected for Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals on May 12 against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Lakers will play the opening games of the series without Dončić, a key scorer and playmaker, and will need to secure early wins to avoid falling behind 0‑3 before his potential return. The injury and his absence are expected to shape the series dynamics, while the club continues to monitor his progress weekly.

Dončić’s rehabilitation timeline, initially estimated at six to eight weeks, may be shortened to four to six weeks with advanced methods, but physicians still consider the recovery phase incomplete. His return remains uncertain beyond the projected date.