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Lakers Rule Out Luka Dončić for Remainder of Regular Season With Grade-2 Thigh Strain

The Grade-2 diagnosis suggests a weeks-long recovery that could run into the opening round.

Overview

  • The team said Dončić will miss the final five regular-season games with a Grade-2 left-thigh strain, and his playoff availability remains uncertain as he leads the NBA in scoring.
  • He exited in the third quarter of a 139–96 loss to the Thunder after feeling a pull in his left thigh earlier in the game, with coach JJ Redick saying an MRI would determine the severity.
  • The rout left Los Angeles down by as many as 46 points and six shy of the largest defeat in franchise history, raising concern about depth without their top scorer.
  • Oklahoma City, the defending champion with the league’s best record, was led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 28 points, while Isaiah Hartenstein added seven.
  • Cleveland clinched a playoff berth with a 118–111 win over Golden State as Dennis Schröder came off the bench for 12 points and six assists.