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After playing their best basketball in years during March, there is little hope that the Lakers can do much of anything in the playoffs a week into April.
Luka Dončić’s hamstring injury against the Thunder and has ruled him out for the rest of the regular season. Considering the typical
recovery time for a Grade 2 hamstring strain, Luka returning for any playoff games is very much in question.
Being the competitor that he is, Luka is doing everything he can to expedite his return. In fact, he’s gone to Spain to get “specialized medical treatment” in hopes that he can speed up his recovery.
For our SB Nation Reacts survey this week, we are asking, what are your feelings on Luka trying to return for the playoffs?
While his desire to play is commendable, it can make Lakers fans nervous to hear he’s trying to shave days off his recovery time to come back sooner than most would after this injury.
Luka dealt with a hamstring strain earlier this season which caused him to miss a handful of games before the All-Star Break. Now, he’s hurt it again and it’s even more severe. If he rushes back too early, it could end disastrously.
Dončić most certainly thinks the Lakers have a chance at doing something special if he returns. But considering they’ll likely be the fourth or fifth seed in the West and the Thunder have destroyed the Lakers each time they’ve played, rushing back and risking more injury to lose anyway doesn’t seem worth it.
If he’s healthy, he should play. But if there is any feeling that he’s pushing beyond what is normal, then the Lakers’ medical staff has to protect their superstar.
So, what do you think? Does Luka heading to Europe in an attempt to return faster make you worried? Share your opinion by voting and letting us know down below!
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.
