Full coverage view across outlets, lean, source quality, and framing. Compare framing without algorithmic ranking.
No coverage from this perspective yet.
Luka Doncic out for start of second round. When will Lakers star return?
May 3, 2026, 5:19 p.m. ETLuka Doncic is still building towards a return, but it won't come in time for Game 1.The Los Angeles Lakers will be without Doncic for the start of their second-round playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday, ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania reported on "Inside the NBA" on Sunday.Charania reports the Lakers are evaluating Doncic on a week-to-week basis and is currently on a "slow path" in his recovery from a Grade 2 hamstring strain that has kept him sidelined for the past month.Doncic returned to the practice floor during the Lakers' first round series, but has yet to progress to 3-on-3 or 5-on-5."He's doing more and more on the court," Charania reported. "But right now, still not full-fledged running or full-contact workouts."Doncic has missed 11 games since straining his left hamstring against Oklahoma City on April 2. The Lakers have gone 7-4 in that span but ran out to a 3-0 lead in the first round of the playoffs against the Houston Rockets, winning the series in six games.The odds are stacked against LA yet again with a matchup against the defending NBA champion Thunder, who won a league-best 64 games in
Luka Doncic Injury Update: Will Lakers Star Return vs. Thunder?
News ArticlePublishedMay 02, 2026 at 04:36 PM EDTBy Tyler ErzbergerThe Los Angeles Lakers are alive.When the team qualified for the playoffs, even as the home favorite over the Houston Rockets, they were massive underdogs.Why? Their two best scorers, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, were both out.And while Reaves returned at the end of the six-game series to finish off the Rockets, Doncic stayed on the bench, sidelined with a hamstring injury.So, will the Slovenian superstar be back for the team's next playoff matchup with the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder?More news: Here’s Who Wins Every NBA Eastern Conference First-Round Playoff Series...More news: Kevin Durant Could Leave the Rockets for These 3 Teams This OffseasonAlthough Doncic went to Europe in hopes of expediting his return to the court from the hamstring he pulled a month ago against the very same Thunder, it doesn't appear as if the NBA's leading scorer will be healthy enough to play in the upcoming playoff series.Be it precautionary or physically incapable, Doncic hasn't even gotten back to running or been part of practice, which would be the first step in a week-long process to get up to speed before returning to the court.If Doncic returned early
When will Luka Doncic return? Lakers star's status for second round
May 2, 2026Updated May 3, 2026, 1:59 p.m. ETThe Los Angeles Lakers are moving on to the second round of the NBA playoffs.The Lakers put away the Houston Rockets in the first round on Friday, May 1, but have an unfavorable matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder ahead.Los Angeles will enter the series fairly healthy, but the status of Luka Doncic remains uncertain.He suffered a hamstring injury on April 2 in a blowout regular-season loss to the Thunder and has not played in a game since. He has missed 11 games, the Lakers going 7-4 during that span.Doncic led the league in points per game with 33.5 during the regular season. He was also third with 8.3 assists per game.Will Luka Doncic play vs. Thunder?Doncic appears doubtful to start the series for the Lakers. The guard will likely have to take necessary steps to return — things like practice and 5-on-5 simulation games — before he's ready to play in a postseason environment.Will Luka Doncic play Game 1 for Lakers?Doncic was ruled out for Game 6 on May 1. The Lakers are expected to release a status report on Monday, May 4 with an update on the star guard.When do
No coverage from this perspective yet.
Center-dominant coverage
Spread 0.00
Pro users see canonical claims across the cluster and which outlets reported each one.
Learn moreFirst seen
May 2, 2026
Latest
May 3, 2026
Outlets
2
Diversity
67/100