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Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

Luka Dončić: Grade II Hamstring Strain, Likely to Miss 1st Round of Playoffs

Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

Locked On Podcast Network

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4.41.6K Ratings

🗓️ 3 April 2026

⏱️ 19 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

The news is in, and it's not good. Luka Dončić has been diagnosed with a Grade II hamstring strain, and while the Lakers are only saying he's out the rest of the regular season, the reality is significantly more grim. Luka likely will need 3-6 weeks to get back from this one, at least. According to Jeff Stotts, the great NBA injury expert, the average recovery time for this type of thing is about 35 days. So even if Luka hits that, the Lakers are well into May and somewhere in the second round of the playoffs. And the idea of divebombing into the postseason against San Antonio or OKC-- assuming they win the opening round-- coming off that injury seems like a bad idea. The Lakers now need to think with their heads, not their hearts. As does Luka. So what's next? Can they win a first round matchup without him? Lots to consider. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky Everydayer ClubIf you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! TurboTaxThis year you’re getting a major upgrade — Intuit TurboTax now has in-person locations nationwide. Visit http://TurboTax.com/local to book your appointment today. QuoMake this the year where no opportunity - and no cutsomer - slips away.Try Quo for free plus get 20% off your first 6 months when you go to http://Quo.com/lockedonnba. RobinhoodYou’re no longer just a spectator. Play by play. You decide. Trade Every Play with Robinhood.Now available across the U.S. Download the Robinhood app now to begin. Futures and cleared swaps trading involves significant risk and is not appropriate for everyone. Event contracts are offered by Robinhood Derivatives, LLC., a registered futures commission merchant and swap firm. 5-Hour ENERGYHave your cake & drink it too. Birthday cake-flavor is back, no fork needed. Vanilla-y cakey flavor, caffeinated kick, and no sugar. It's party time. Order Now at 5-hourENERGY.com or Amazon. IndeedListeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast GametimeToday's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply. FanDuelToday's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. During the tournament FanDuel is offering$300 back in Bonus Bets every day for ten days. Visit https://FANDUEL.COMto get started — Play Your Game. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Transcript

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0:00.0

This is Brian Kamenetsky co-host of Locked-on Lakers.

0:05.2

Andy is away lucky for him.

0:09.3

So the news on Luca Donchage is in and it is not great.

0:15.4

It could be worse, I guess, but from a practical standpoint, the Lakers are in bad shape here.

0:22.5

A grade two hamstring strain is the official diagnosis.

0:27.6

The Lakers are saying only at this point that he will not play in the rest of the regular season.

0:32.9

No surprise there.

0:34.3

But the average length of recovery for an injury like this is three to six weeks.

0:42.2

Jeff Stotz at in the street close, one of the great injury experts in the NBA, says that the

0:48.9

average time lost to this injury is 35 days. If you're looking for context,

0:54.7

Peyton Watson has been dealing with this injury,

0:57.6

this grade two hamstring for most of the second half of the season.

1:03.4

And,

1:04.4

you know,

1:05.3

he was,

1:06.3

you know,

1:06.5

he took him about 45 days to come back and just left.

1:10.5

Again, the lineup is now once again, week to week with the, took him about 45 days to come back and just left again.

1:11.1

The lineup is now once again week to week with the same hamstring strain.

1:16.1

So it can be a slow injury to heal.

1:20.1

Luca had a hamstring injury earlier in the season that cost him about a week,

1:25.3

10 days or so that got them back in the All-Star

...

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