Overview
- Los Angeles, which lost 115-110 to Oklahoma City on Monday, was swept out of the playoffs with Luka Dončić still sidelined by a Grade 2 hamstring strain from April 2.
- Before Game 4, Ric Flair posted on X that he returned to the ring six months after a 1975 plane crash that broke his back, using his history to press Dončić to play through pain.
- Flair had earlier urged a cortisone shot and even floated a trade if Dončić would not “battle through,” then told Yahoo Sports he spoke as a devoted fan without knowing the injury’s full extent.
- Shannon Sharpe pushed back on the criticism, saying Dončić is not faking an injury and should not risk further damage to a hamstring that has not been cleared for contact.
- Dončić led the NBA in scoring this season but missed the Lakers’ entire postseason, which increased the load on LeBron James and Austin Reaves and fed a wider debate over short-term grit versus long-term health.