Luka Doncic missed the 2026 NBA playoffs with a hamstring injury. It was initially reported as a Grade 2 strain, but the latest reports following the Los Angeles Lakers’ playoff exit indicate that Doncic’s injury was worse than earlier reports. According to insider Dan Woike, an MRI in Dallas indicated that Doncic showed a Grade 2 lower hamstring strain, but the evaluation in Spain diagnosed a deeper, more severe injury.
The Lakers didn’t try to rush him back despite making it to the conference semis after upsetting the Rockets in the opening round. Doncic got a head start in his recovery by not wasting time in choosing to go to Spain and getting PRP injections.
However, Dallas’ medical staff has come under scrutiny again for an inaccurate diagnosis. The Lakers were critical of it when the Mavericks staff scanned the wrong area for Austin Reaves, who suffered a Grade 2 oblique strain in the same game on Apr. 2 when Luka Doncic went down.
Lakers fans ridiculed the medical staff in Dallas for fumbling the MRI on Doncic’s injury, as it could have led to him rushing back and reinjuring himself if he didn’t go to Spain.
One fan pointed to the Mavericks’ injury woes in 2025 as several players missed significant time, saying:
“No wonder why most of the Mavs roster were injured during the 2025 season”
“I mean the MRI machine in Dallas needs ro be investigated. Their entire team has been injured since the Luka trade,” another added.
“dallas got some slow a** medical staff,” one fan wrote.
“Yes they scanned the wrong side of Austin’s body initially Just don’t understand how this happens,” another said.
“Dallas medical team needs to be castrated,” one fan commented.
Luka Doncic begins “strict diet” to maintain peak shape
Luka Doncic’s season didn’t end as expected, as he’s entering the summer with an injury. However, that’s not deterring him from maintaining his conditioning. According to The Athletic, Doncic is beginning a strict diet in the offseason to ensure he remains in peak shape as he recovers from his hamstring injury.
Doncic achieved that last offseason after significant criticism of his body, mostly from Dallas, after his trade to the Lakers. Doncic is also not suiting up for the Slovenian national team in the FIBA World Cup, so he will likely have fresher legs to begin the 2026-27 NBA season.
However, Luka Doncic revealed that his absence was due to his daughters and his ongoing custody battle with his ex, Anamaria Goltes.
