Luka Doncic injury news has to be depressing for Lakers after season-ending loss to Thunder

The Los Angeles Lakers certainly could have used Luka Doncic during their second-round playoff series vs the defending-champion Oklahoma City Thunder. 

While the Thunder likely would have advanced regardless, Doncic’s game-changing shotmaking in isolation situations, pick-and-roll brilliance, and late-game magic would have kept things interesting at the very least. Unfortunately for Doncic, a hamstring injury forced him to miss the entire series, allowing the Thunder to cruise to the Western Conference finals. 

After the Lakers’ Monday night loss to the Thunder (their last of the season), Doncic spoke to reporters about his injury, and his comments will likely depress Los Angeles and its fan base.

“I know some people wanted me (to come) back, but obviously I wasn’t close to clearing,” Doncic said. “If I could be out there, I would be, 100%. Everybody in that room knows this is really tough. This is the best time to play basketball.” 

“Obviously this season didn’t end how we wanted, but I feel like the last push we made in the end of the regular season, we thought we could compete for a championship,” Doncic said. “I think we had a great team. We had great chemistry. Playing with AR (Austin Reaves) and LeBron (James), it’s an incredible experience. Two great players, and it was really fun to share a court with them.” 

After the Lakers secured a 4-2 first-round series win over the Houston Rockets, there was legitimate optimism that Doncic would return to the franchise’s lineup in round No. 2. The consensus was the former Dallas Mavericks star would miss the first game or two, but would eventually be cleared for action. 

Now we know that Doncic returning to the hardwood was never in the cards for the six-time All-Star, which essentially means the Lakers’ season was finished when Doncic suffered his lower-body injury on Apr. 2, and they didn’t even know it.

That undoubtedly adds insult to injury for a Lakers squad that isn't in the best shape heading into an important offseason.

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