{"id":629679,"date":"2026-05-07T21:46:11","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T21:46:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/629679\/"},"modified":"2026-05-07T21:46:11","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T21:46:11","slug":"when-is-luka-doncic-returning-injury-update-for-lakers-thunder-nba-playoffs-game-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/629679\/","title":{"rendered":"When is Luka Doncic returning? Injury update for Lakers-Thunder NBA Playoffs Game 2"},"content":{"rendered":"

Luka Don\u010di\u0107<\/a>\u00a0was officially ruled out Wednesday for\u00a0Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals<\/a>\u00a0between the\u00a0OKC Thunder and Los Angeles Lakers<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Doncic<\/a> continues to works his way back onto the court, as his\u00a0Lakers<\/a>\u00a0face the\u00a0Thunder<\/a>\u00a0in the second round of the\u00a0NBA Playoffs<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Doncic has been\u00a0sidelined since April 2 with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain<\/a>. The superstar guard told the media Wednesday that he has started running, but he hasn’t yet been cleared for full contact.<\/p>\n

“I’m just doing everything I can,” Doncic said. “Every day, I’m doing things I’m supposed to do. Obviously, I’m recovering, and now I’m working. The doctor said eight weeks at the beginning of the first MRI. So I\u2019m just going day by day, and I feel better every day.\u201d<\/p>\n

Doncic received that first MRI on April 3, which was nearly five weeks ago. If the eight-week recovery timeline holds up, he’d miss the entire second-round series against OKC.<\/p>\n

The Thunder already holds a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.\u00a0It claimed a 108-90 home win<\/a>\u00a0in Game 1 on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

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“I don’t think people understand how frustrating it is,” Doncic said. “All I want to do is play basketball, especially this time (of year). It’s the best time to play basketball. It’s very frustrating. Seeing what my team is doing, I’m very proud of them. But it’s been very tough just to sit and watch them play.”<\/p>\n

Game 2 is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. CT Thursday in Oklahoma City<\/a> (Prime Video).<\/p>\n

MUSSATTO: Thunder shows how big its margin for error is vs. Lakers in Game 1 rout<\/a><\/p>\n

1 \/ 4<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs LA Lakers in Game 1 NBA Playoffs, see top photos<\/p>\n

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe arrives before Game 1 of the NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, May 5, 2026.<\/p>\n

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1 \/ 4<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs LA Lakers in Game 1 NBA Playoffs, see top photos<\/p>\n

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe arrives before Game 1 of the NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, May 5, 2026.<\/p>\n

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2 \/ 4<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs LA Lakers in Game 1 NBA Playoffs, see top photos<\/p>\n

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort arrives before Game 1 of the NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, May 5, 2026.<\/p>\n

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3 \/ 4<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs LA Lakers in Game 1 NBA Playoffs, see top photos<\/p>\n

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander arrives before Game 1 of the NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, May 5, 2026.<\/p>\n

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4 \/ 4<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs LA Lakers in Game 1 NBA Playoffs, see top photos<\/p>\n

Shirts are pictured before Game 1 of the NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, May 5, 2026.<\/p>\n

[\u00a0LISTEN UP:\u00a0Make the “Thunder Buddies” podcast a staple of your starting lineup by following on\u00a0Apple<\/a>,\u00a0Spotify<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0YouTube<\/a>. ]<\/p>\n

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What time is Thunder vs Lakers game tonight?<\/p>\n

Where: Paycom Center in Oklahoma City<\/p>\n

More: Luka Doncic gives injury update on hamstring before Lakers-Thunder NBA Playoffs Game 2<\/a><\/p>\n

What channel is OKC Thunder vs Los Angeles Lakers<\/a> on tonight?<\/p>\n

More: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder shake off rust to rout Lakers in ‘imperfect’ Game 1<\/a><\/p>\n

1 \/ 4<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs LA Lakers in Game 1 NBA Playoffs, see top photos<\/p>\n

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe arrives before Game 1 of the NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, May 5, 2026.<\/p>\n

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1 \/ 4<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs LA Lakers in Game 1 NBA Playoffs, see top photos<\/p>\n

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe arrives before Game 1 of the NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, May 5, 2026.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

2 \/ 4<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs LA Lakers in Game 1 NBA Playoffs, see top photos<\/p>\n

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort arrives before Game 1 of the NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, May 5, 2026.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

3 \/ 4<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs LA Lakers in Game 1 NBA Playoffs, see top photos<\/p>\n

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander arrives before Game 1 of the NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, May 5, 2026.<\/p>\n

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4 \/ 4<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder vs LA Lakers in Game 1 NBA Playoffs, see top photos<\/p>\n

Shirts are pictured before Game 1 of the NBA playoff series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, May 5, 2026.<\/p>\n

More: Thunder shows how big its margin for error is vs. Lakers in Game 1 rout<\/a><\/p>\n

Thunder vs Lakers predictions, picks<\/p>\n

Justin Martinez: OKC 121, Los Angeles<\/a> 104<\/p>\n

LeBron James<\/a> scored a game-high 27 points during Game 1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander played below his standards with 18 points and seven turnovers. And yet OKC still won by 18 points. The Thunder has the better defense, which is filled with elite talent both on the perimeter and around the rim. And it has the better offense, especially with Luka Doncic continuing to miss time. OKC is simply the better team, and it’ll continue to show that by earning a Game 2 win.<\/p>\n

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More: Austin Reaves’ struggles compound Lakers’ uphill battle vs Thunder in NBA Playoffs<\/a><\/p>\n

Thunder vs Lakers betting odds<\/p>\n

Odds via BetMGM<\/a> as of Wednesday, May 6<\/p>\n

Moneyline: OKC -900 | Los Angeles +600<\/p>\n

More: Meet the OKC Thunder fans handing out 3D-printed Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shoes<\/a><\/p>\n

More: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s rise is starting to mirror his new NBA playoff foe LeBron James<\/a><\/p>\n

Thunder vs Lakers injury updates<\/p>\n

Lakers:\u00a0Luka Doncic (left hamstring strain) is out. Luka Kennard (neck soreness) is questionable. Jarred Vanderbilt<\/a> (right finger dislocation) is doubtful.<\/p>\n

More: Jarred Vanderbilt exits with gruesome finger injury in Lakers-Thunder NBA playoff game<\/a><\/p>\n

Projected OKC Thunder starters<\/p>\n

More: Meet the OKC Thunder’s roster for 2025-26 NBA season<\/a><\/p>\n

Projected Los Angeles Lakers starters<\/p>\n

Thunder vs Lakers playoff schedule: Date, time, TV for second round of 2026 NBA Playoffs<\/a><\/p>\n

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Justin Martinez covers the Thunder and NBA for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at jmartinez@oklahoman.com or on X\/Twitter at\u00a0@Justintohoops. Sign up for the\u00a0Thunder Sports Minute newsletter<\/a>\u00a0to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a\u00a0digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Luka Doncic injury update before Lakers-Thunder Game 2 of NBA Playoffs<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Luka Don\u010di\u0107\u00a0was officially ruled out Wednesday for\u00a0Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals\u00a0between the\u00a0OKC Thunder and Los Angeles…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":629680,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[64],"tags":[11654,7625,31765,3013,3031,1055,3014,355,13331,14358,12205,6407,99,85998],"class_list":["post-629679","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nba","tag-austin-reaves","tag-jalen-williams","tag-jarred-vanderbilt","tag-lebron-james","tag-los-angeles","tag-los-angeles-lakers","tag-luka-doncic","tag-nba","tag-nba-playoffs","tag-okc-thunder","tag-oklahoma-city","tag-shai-gilgeous-alexander","tag-sports","tag-thomas-sorber"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/629679","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=629679"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/629679\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/629680"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=629679"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=629679"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=629679"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}