FROM ABOVE ARTICLE:

With Luka Dončić set to appeal for his eligibility, the NBA is going to delay voting on season awards.

If it wasn’t already a mess, the NBA’s award voting process is about to face another challenge.

As it stands, Luka Dončić is not eligible for postseason awards. However, he intends to appeal that by using the Extraordinary Circumstances Challenge, citing him having to travel Europe for the birth of his child earlier this season.

In his latest piece on Substack, longtime NBA reporter Marc Stein laid out where the complications are going to lie moving forward. Typically, the NBA sends out award voting electronically on midnight Sunday night/Monday morning after the season ends and gives voters roughly 36 hours before the submission deadline.

At the same time, Luka can not submit his appeal until the season ends. So, both of these can’t happen simultaneously. Voters need to know if Luka is eligible before submitting ballots. As a result, according to Stein, the league will delay voting on awards until after a resolution in Luka’s case.

League rules stipulate that such a challenge can only be filed on the final day of the regular season (April 12 in this case). The league will have to rule on the challenge before releasing it’s electronic ballots to voters, meaning that the voting process might be delayed slightly from its planned April 13-14 window.

The rules in the CBA state that the hearing with an independent expert must take place within two days, the hearing can not last longer than one day and a resolution must come one day later. In short, this will all move pretty fast once the appeal is submitted.

An answer will be had during the week between the regular season and playoffs as to whether Luka will be eligible for awards, so this process won’t drag out into the postseason or beyond.

Again, all of this is but a small silver lining in what likely will end up as a lost season, but at least there remains a realistic chance that Luka could still get the rightful credit for his brilliant performance this year.

FROM ABOVE ARTICLE:

DALLAS – Luka Dončić traveled to Europe on Sunday to receive aggressive treatment on his injured hamstring in an effort to speed up his recovery, league sources told The Athletic.

Dončić suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain Thursday in the Los Angeles Lakers’ loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The team ruled him out for only the rest of the regular season, though Grade 2 strains generally take multiple weeks, and in some cases more than a month, to heal.

The playoffs begin in two weeks.

“I just know that he’s gonna do everything he can to try to be back,” coach JJ Redick said pregame Sunday. “I talked to him Friday. I talked to him again yesterday. I talked to him again this morning. He’s going to go through all the necessary things to be back at some point, and it’s our job again to extend the season so both those guys can get back.”

Shortly after learning the Lakers would be without Dončić, the team announced Austin Reaves would also miss the rest of the regular season with a Grade 2 oblique strain — another injury generally with a timeline of four to six weeks.

The Lakers lost their first game without their leading scorers Sunday in Dallas, falling 134-128 to the Mavericks. LeBron James led the Lakers with 30 points and 15 assists. Guard Marcus Smart remained out with ankle soreness — the seventh straight game he has missed.

Pregame Sunday, Redick said internal medical data showed no signs of overuse with Dončić before the game with the Thunder. While he grabbed at his hamstring in the first half, he was medically cleared to return to the game. Minutes into the third quarter, Dončić crumpled to the ground after planting his left leg, again reaching for the hamstring.

If Dončić returns from his Grade 2 hamstring strain by the playoffs, he will be going against recent NBA history with these injuries.

Reaves, also, was put back in the game after suffering his initial injury.

“As a coach, you go on the information you have,” Redick said. “He was medically cleared. When Austin came back, I asked directly. I thought he was hurt. (I was told), ‘No, he’s medically cleared.’ The group wanted to go for it in the second half. Talked about it at halftime. And I think, for both those guys, the nature of playing heavy minutes, that’s certainly a part of, like any equation when you’re trying to manage workloads. We also rely on the tracking data, and we’re looking at that after every game. You know, acceleration, jumps, workload, all of those things.

“And there have been a few times this year where it’s gone, away from the standard deviation of whatever their baseline is, and we make the proper adjustments. There was nothing leading into that game that would suggest either those guys were ‘running hot,’ as we call it.”

Redick said both Dončić and Reaves will try to return in the playoffs, calling it the Lakers’ “job to extend the season so that they can come back.”

FROM ABOVE ARTICLE:

Luka’s Injury And What Comes Next

Should Dončić push for a comeback and answer other reader questions.

First, before I even start, I have to say this once again: injuries suck.

The Lakers just had one of their most fun months in recent memory, finally gelling after a tumultuous season full of ups and downs, with Luka Dončić maybe playing the best basketball of his career, capping it with another Player of the Month award in March.

Then, in one half of a disastrous game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, it was all taken away.

First, the news of Dončić’s Grade 2 hamstring strain hit, followed by news that Austin Reaves is expected to miss four to six weeks with a Grade 2 oblique injury.

Not only did it suck because it cut short a super fun run that made us believe in these Lakers, it also hurt because we got robbed of seeing what Dončić and Reaves could do as a playoff pairing — critical information heading into a very important summer. Not to mention, this could have been the last meaningful playoff run for LeBron James as a Laker.

But the two injuries turned everything upside down, and as I can see from your questions in our chat, there are a lot of doubts about how the Lakers should handle Dončić’s injury in particular, and what it means in the long term.

Then, later in the evening, more news came out: Dončić will try to push for a potential playoff comeback by seeking specialized medical treatment in Europe.

Shams Charania
@ShamsCharania
After consultation with Lakers doctors and his own medical team, Luka Doncic will seek specialized medical treatment in Europe on his Grade 2 left hamstring in an attempt to expedite his return to play, agent Bill Duffy of WME Basketball tells me and @mcten.

7:33 PM · Apr 5, 2026 · 6.06M Views
1.67K Replies · 2.52K Reposts · 30K Likes

Because of the recent developments and their potential implications, I decided to focus this article on answering questions about both injuries, the impact of load, whether they could have been prevented, and whether Dončić (and Reaves) should push for a return in the playoffs.

I’ll save the questions about future team building, best player types, and ideal archetypes next to Dončić for future deep dives.

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Breakdown highlights

How did we get here? (the minutes and load question)

Dončić pushing for a comeback, but recent hamstring setbacks are a warning sign

Is it worth the risk?

1-How did we get here? (the minutes and load question)

There were a lot of questions about why Dončić and Reaves, who were already showing signs of being hurt, played in the second half against OKC, even with the game essentially decided and the Lakers down by more than 30.

That decision doesn’t look great now, but I trust JJ Redick made it based on the information available and the input from both players. Especially with Dončić, who has his own team around him, it was ultimately a decision heavily influenced by him and his team. The key takeaway here, based on Dončić’s career, is that the Lakers and Redick need to find ways to occasionally save him from himself and his undeniable will to compete. The same trait that makes him great can, at times, work against him. We’ve seen the same pattern with Dončić, playing hurt or logging heavy minutes in a high-usage, heliocentric role across different setups, whether with the Mavericks, the Slovenian national team, or now the Lakers.

That being said, Redick and the group seem to have repeated last year’s mistake, where a one- to two-month stretch of great basketball fuels their competitive drive and pushes them beyond their limits. It’s the same group that, in last year’s playoffs, opted to play their starters for the entire second half of a decisive game, and one that played Luke Kennard 41 minutes in a game last night.

I’m not saying the Lakers’ March run wasn’t real, it just wasn’t sustainable for another two months. In March, Dončić and Reaves averaged over 37 minutes, with James at 34 and Marcus Smart at 31, during a packed, demanding schedule filled with playoff-like games. Smart was the first to break down, which was predictable given his playstyle, injury history, and the Lakers’ overreliance on him all year without any real alternative for his role in the starting lineup. And his absence had a cascading effect, putting even more pressure, especially on Reaves defensively in the games leading up to his injury.

To be fair, before his injury Dončić looked as good physically as he has since the bubble in his second season. But short, veteran-heavy rotations won’t keep up with the new wave of young, athletic, deep teams like OKC, San Antonio, or Detroit. Going forward, the front office, Redick, and Dončić will need to collectively figure out how to build a team and manage their competitive drive so they don’t empty the clip before the postseason even starts.

2-Dončić pushing for a comeback, but recent hamstring setbacks are a warning sign

The first test of a realistic assessment and acceptance of reality will come even before the offseason.

Per Dan Woike, Lakers beat writer for The Athletic, Redick confirmed that Dončić (and Reaves) will go through everything necessary to return at some point, and that it’s his job to extend the season long enough for them to do so.

Dan Woike
@DanWoikeSports

Can confirm Luka Dončić will seek medical treatment in Europe in a hope to try and quicken his return from a Grade 2 hamstring strain, per his agency.

7:44 PM · Apr 5, 2026 · 40.8K Views
7 Replies · 45 Reposts · 588 Likes

Before we get into the upside of a potential return (see my next point), we first need to understand the downside and the risks that come with it. And especially for Dončić and his hamstring issues, there are three clear warning signs from this season that the situation should be handled with extreme caution.

Aaron Gordon: The biggest warning sign. Gordon’s hamstring issues have been bilateral (affecting both legs) across the two seasons. They go back to last year’s playoffs, when he played through a Grade 2 strain on his left leg in a Game 7 situation. This season, he suffered an initial strain on his right leg in late November (missed 19 games), return in January, then a re-aggravation on January 23 that cost him another 4–6 weeks. Even after returning in early March, he’s been in constant management mode, in and out of the lineup. An example of how pushing through a hamstring injury can turn a short-term problem into a long-term one.

Jalen Williams: After already missing the first 19 games of the season due to wrist surgery, Williams suffered a right hamstring strain on January 17, missing about three weeks. He returned briefly, only to re-aggravate it two games later, leading to another 16-game absence and more than five weeks out. In total, over 25 games missed due to hamstring issues alone.

Peyton Watson: Watson missed over six weeks and 19 games after a right hamstring strain in early February. He returned on March 22 and played five games, only to leave early on April 2 with renewed tightness in the same hamstring. Now Watson is back to week-to-week status with the regular season almost over.

Then there are two other examples.

James Harden (2021): Harden suffered a Grade 2 right hamstring strain late in the 2021 regular season, missed around three to four weeks, and even had a setback during rehab. He returned for the playoffs, only to re-aggravate the injury after just 43 seconds in Game 1 against Milwaukee. After missing multiple games, he rushed back again in Game 5 and ended up playing Games 5–7 through a confirmed Grade 2 strain. He was clearly limited, shot poorly, and later admitted he felt “terrible” physically. The Nets lost the series, and the injury lingered into the following season. Another example of how pushing for a playoff return can have longer term consequences.

There is also a case of Dončić himself. On February 5, he tweaked his left hamstring during a game against Philadelphia. It was managed as a milder strain, and he missed four games right before the All-Star break. He returned shortly after and was able to play through the rest of the season without a major setback, but there were some signs, including ongoing leg soreness in the weeks leading up to the OKC game. Dončić also has a history of pushing for a playoff return. In 2022, he suffered a calf strain in the final regular-season game, missed about 12–13 days and the first three playoff games, and only returned once he was close to 100%, even saying he felt no pain before Game 4, where he immediately played heavy minutes at a high level.

The last aspect of the injury is Dončić’s game itself. It’s notable that the injury happened on his patented deceleration move. For a player built on start-and-stop, change of pace, and hitting the brakes hard, the hamstring is a crucial part of the engine. And it’s not just physical. As Jalen Williams put it after dealing with repeated hamstring issues: “When you have the same injury twice, it’s a mental obstacle, getting back to doing moves as explosive as you want.”

3-Is it worth the risk?

I didn’t lay out those examples to suggest what Dončić and the Lakers should or will do. I’m not a doctor, and I don’t have access to the level of detail and medical information they do. The point was to show that a quick return comes with real risk. The real question is what the reward is for the Lakers, and whether it’s worth the risk.

After last night’s loss to the Mavericks, it seems unlikely the Lakers can hold off the Nuggets for the third spot, with fourth or fifth now the more likely outcome. Which, even if the Lakers could survive long enough without Dončić and Reaves and beat let’s say the Rockets in the first round, would likely set up a second-round matchup against the Thunder. And previous disappointing losses to OKC showed that the Lakers, even when healthy, don’t have the bodies, the athleticism, or the infrastructure for a grueling series against the reigning champions. Going into a rock fight against a team like the Thunder, or even the Rockets, who hit you on every possession, with Dončić and Reaves not at 100% physically, just adds to an already high level of risk.

Over the past year, the Lakers’ front office has chosen not to risk the long-term future for a potential short-term playoff reward. They showed that both last summer and at the trade deadline by holding onto their long-term assets.

Lakers Trade Deadline Series: All About Nothing, or Everything
Iztok Franko
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Feb 6
Lakers Trade Deadline Series: All About Nothing, or Everything

This is the last stop in a packed Trade Deadline Series, the fifth article in less than a week. To mark a moment this important, I stepped away from the usual game-by-game rhythm, but that pause ends now. Regular coverage resumes with Warriors game observations on Sunday. Before getting into what happened at the de…

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Even if not said out loud, the actions made it clear: this organization is playing the long game.

So why change that now, with your franchise player and his potential long-term sidekick in a contract year, in what is essentially a gap year?

Knowing Dončić, I’m sure he doesn’t think that way at all. He would do anything to get back on the court for the playoffs and believes he has a chance every time he steps out there, no matter who is next to him or across from him. If he does return fully healthy, I’d be the last one to complain about watching Dončić, Reaves, and James in the playoffs. That’s what we grind through the 82 games for.

But if there is any real risk, this would be the moment for the Lakers to show alignment between their superstars, the coach, and the front office. It will show whether they can resist the urge to let their at times obsessive competitive instincts take over at all costs, no matter the minutes, the load, or the bigger picture.

COOPER FLAGG AND LEBRON DUEL ON EASTER 🔥 MAVS BEAT THE LAKERS 🍿 pic.twitter.com/kIiADryWM7— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 6, 2026

COOPER FLAGG AND LEBRON DUEL ON EASTER 🔥 MAVS BEAT THE LAKERS 🍿 pic.twitter.com/kIiADryWM7— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 6, 2026

Final: Mavs 134, Lakers 128LA drops to 50-28. They are tied with DEN but remain No. 3 due to the tiebreaker (DEN has solid odds to pass them). LeBron had 30/9/15. Jaxson Hayes had 23 points. Luke Kennard had 15-16-11. Rui Hachimura had 21 points.Up next: vs. OKC on Tues.— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) April 6, 2026

Luke Kennard’s 16 rebounds are the MOST in a single game by a guard this season:Along with 15 PTS and 11 AST, this is one of the bright spots for the Lakers moving forward pic.twitter.com/PHTfAupYlf— LakersMuse (@LALMuse) April 6, 2026

Jaxson Hayes vs Mavs:23PTS-4REB-2AST-8/10FG-7/8FT pic.twitter.com/dUFe7hi1tA— Laker Performances (@LALPerformance) April 6, 2026

“He did an excellent job. Excellent job. Rebound, 13 defensive rebounds. So he did an excellent job clean the glass, secure rebounds. And then just feed the ball, get the guys in their proper spots. Big game for him.”Lebron on Luke Kennard’s triple double pic.twitter.com/WeV8ai16P7— 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝑮𝒐𝒍𝒅 (@PurpGoldLakers) April 6, 2026

Luka Dončić has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain and will be out for the remainder of the regular season, per the Lakers.The average timetable to return for a Grade 2 hamstring strain is 3-6 weeks. The playoffs start in 15 days.— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) April 3, 2026

Lakers have been playing every other day for a long stretch now coupled with back-to-back games non-stop. At some point you are going to see the effect on the way they play. Those things are catching up to them now.

FROM ABOVE ARTICLE:

Thursday night was ugly, but it was just one game for the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Los Angeles Lakers’ embarrassing 139-96 blowout to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night really felt like rock bottom in a lot of ways. Whatever could go wrong did go wrong in several different aspects.

From the jump, the Lakers got absolutely battered by the Thunder. Luka Doncic tweaked a hamstring that would eventually force him to exit the game for good, and await MRIs on Friday. There was really no silver lining from the performance itself. However, LeBron James found one that goes beyond this individual matchup.

“Nothing has changed. … Nothing is rattled. It’s one game. It’s part of the NBA season. It’s defending champions.
We get it. We understand.”

James said what one would expect from the oldest player on the team (and in the NBA). The 41-year-old has been through just about any and every scenario that one could imagine in the league. That veteran leadership and steadying hand will be huge for the Lakers moving forward.

LeBron James’ leadership will be worth its weight in gold for the Lakers
There is still no concrete answer on just how severe the Doncic injury will be for the Lakers down the stretch. However, there could be a real possibility of the Lakers superstar missing the rest of the regular season, with only five games left after this beatdown.

Still a lot of details to sort through re: Doncic’s hamstring injury but there’s a lot on the line. This season the average time lost for nondescript hamstring strains in the NBA has been ~22 days (~9 games). That’s higher than the historical averages of 12.1 days (~5 games).

— Jeff Stotts (@InStreetClothes) April 3, 2026

If that does end up becoming the case, a lot of eyes and pressure will be on the duo of James and Austin Reaves to fill Doncic’s MVP-sized shoes. There is actually even more reason to believe more of that will actually fall on LeBron to turn back the clock.

Reaves dealt with his own injury problems in the Thunder game, exiting with an ailment in his lower back before ultimately returning to the matchup. If the Lakers want to exercise some form of caution with him following his superstar teammate’s injury, no one could blame them.

That would leave the Lakers with five games that require everything James can still offer at his age.

LeBron is already saying all the right things. That should really come as no surprise. When the Thunder were beating the brakes off the Lakers, James was noticeably more poised than some of his teammates. That demeanor will need to carry over to this final stretch.

The Lakers will get a little bit of extra time off after the regular season is over to rest up since they secured a playoff spot earlier this week. If Doncic is forced to miss an extended stretch, hopefully for the Lakers and their fans, that can be the difference in him being back (and fully healthy) in time for the first-round. Until then, James will need to play his part as the guiding hand for Los Angeles.