OKLAHOMA CITY — Six-time NBA All-Star Luka Doncic has opened up about his unconventional hamstring injury recovery process, revealing Wednesday that he traveled to Spain to receive a series of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections in a bid to shorten his projected eight-week layoff. Doncic has been out of the Los Angeles Lakers lineup since suffering the hamstring injury on April 2.”I went to Spain to do PRP,” Doncic told assembled reporters ahead of Game 2 of the Lakers’ Western Conference Semifinals series against the Oklahoma City Thunder. “Everybody knows that it’s one of the best countries to get this procedure done. We coordinated the entire plan with the Lakers’ medical staff, and everyone signed off on the trip.”Doncic explained that the treatment structure required an extended stay overseas, as each PRP injection called for four days of rest between sessions. He completed four total injections, leading to his prolonged time in Spain. “I know and trust a lot of people I’ve worked with before in Spain, so that made the decision even easier,” he added. As of his Wednesday update, the star guard said he has progressed to light running in his rehabilitation, but has not yet resumed any contact drills or full-court scrimmage work.Doncic’s absence was already felt in the series opener Tuesday, as the Thunder pulled away to a 108-90 win over the short-handed Lakers in Oklahoma City. For the All-Star, watching from the sidelines has been an emotionally draining experience, especially during the high-stakes postseason.”It’s very frustrating. 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 — this is the best time to play. It’s tough to watch my team compete from the stands, even though I’m so proud of how they’ve stepped up. It’s been really hard to sit out.”Despite his desperation to rejoin the lineup, Doncic emphasized he is prioritizing long-term caution over a rushed return. The forward noted he has experienced negative outcomes from rushing back from injuries earlier in his career, and this first-time hamstring injury requires extra care.”It’s a tough balance for me. I’ve come back from injuries too soon before, and it wasn’t the best result,” he said. “This is the first time I’ve had a hamstring injury, and it’s not like other injuries I’ve dealt with. You have to be very careful. I’m doing everything possible to get back on the court as soon as I’m safely able.”The series is set to continue Thursday night, with Game 2 tipping off at the Thunder’s home arena in Oklahoma City.
Luka Doncic says being injured during Lakers’ playoff run has been ‘very frustrating’
