The Los Angeles Lakers are rolling the dice on Luka Doncic’s fragile hamstring. And the timing couldn’t be wilder. His recent trip to Spain (with a quick pitstop in Slovenia) for the injection treatment feels like a recovery race against time. Now, with the playoffs closing in, Shams Charania brings a key update, while Austin Reaves quietly remains a major concern.

Speaking on The Pat McAfee Show, the ESPN insider said, “Luka Doncic, he spent the last week in Spain, from my understanding, the majority of time in Spain.” Charania added, “He underwent multiple injection treatments in that hamstring to see if he can promote quick healing. My understanding is he’ll be back in the States on Tuesday, and they’re going to reevaluate him.”

Meanwhile, he mentioned AR’s situation as well. “Austin Reaves, he’s out for majority of this first-round series. Most likely, probably the earliest for him is going to be that first week of May. So they have a tall task now facing Houston in this first round.”

 

Simply put, the Lakers don’t know when both stars will join them on the frontline. While the medical team might have an idea about Austin Reaves’ return, Luka’s one remains a mystery. That is because he will undergo reevaluation once he comes back to LA. Now, the trouble is that the Purple and Gold are going to face the Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs.

On paper, the Los Angeles Lakers feel loaded, yet the numbers whisper caution. With Luka Doncic, they surge to 43–21, and with Austin Reaves, 36–15. However, take Doncic out, and it slips to 9–8, then without Reaves it drops to 16–14. That swing screams dependence. Meanwhile, the Rockets sit at 63.4%, leaning on grit, defense, and depth. Even with a 2–1 edge, this matchup feels anything but comfortable.

Well, the uncertainty around Luka Doncic’s return timeline is leading the experts to believe that the Lakers won’t make it past Round 1. In fact, NBA legend Kendrick Perkins feels that the team should shut down the Slovenian Sensation.

Kendrick Perkins gives crucial advice about Luka Doncic

“The Lakers are dead bird tall grass,” Big Perk said on First Take. According to him, LA’s season is over. For Perkins, the Lakers are going to be an easy round-one exit. Why? “You’re gonna ask a 41-year-old LeBron James to come in and lead in this tough Western Conference, to try to lead this Laker team without Luka and Austin Reaves? When the series starts, it ain’t happening. And to be honest with you, if I was the Lakers, I would just go ahead and shut Luka down for the season.”

Therefore, the message around Luka Doncic is clear and a bit harsh. Hamstring injuries rarely cooperate, so a true return to full strength feels unlikely. Even if Doncic steps back on the floor, expect caution. He would move carefully, pick his spots, and avoid risks. As a result, his rhythm and efficiency could dip, leaving the Los Angeles Lakers dealing with a version of their star that feels far from peak.

Yes, the LA Lakers won their last two games of the regular season. But that spark doesn’t erase deeper concerns in a loaded Western Conference. Moreover, with Doncic and Reaves, LeBron James will automatically take the role of the first option. And let’s not forget, he is 41. You won’t see the 33-year-old Akron Hammer, who single-handedly took the Cleveland Cavaliers to the NBA Finals in 2018.

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