In the Western Conference semifinals against defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, the Los Angeles Lakers desperately needed Luka Doncic on the court.
Even though the Thunder were heavily favored and likely to advance, Doncic’s elite isolation scoring, pick-and-roll playmaking, and clutch gene could have kept the series competitive. Unfortunately, a hamstring injury sidelined him for the entire series, allowing the Thunder to cruise into the conference finals.
After the Lakers’ season-ending loss to the Thunder on Monday, Doncic addressed his injury in an interview, delivering a sobering reality check for the team and its fans. “I know a lot of people wanted me to come back, but honestly, I was nowhere close to being able to play,” Doncic said. “If there was even a slight chance, I would have been out there 100 percent. Everyone inside the locker room knew it. It’s been so tough not being able to be on the floor, especially during the playoffs, which is the best time to play basketball.”
He added, “This season didn’t end the way we wanted. But we were playing really well down the stretch in the regular season. At that point, everyone felt this team had championship potential. We had a great roster and great chemistry. Playing alongside Austin Reaves and LeBron James was a special experience. I really enjoyed sharing the court with two great players.”
After the Lakers eliminated the Rockets in the first round, there was widespread optimism that Doncic would miss only a game or two before returning for the semifinals. Now, the truth has come to light: the six-time All-Star was never medically cleared to play at any point. In other words, from the moment Doncic suffered the hamstring injury on April 2, the Lakers’ championship hopes were effectively over—even if the team refused to accept it at the time.
For a Lakers franchise already facing a critical offseason, this crushing playoff exit, combined with the confirmation of Doncic’s inability to return, only makes the road ahead more daunting.