TITLE: Luka Doncic Running Again but Still Sidelined, Not Yet Cleared for Contact
SLUG: luka-doncic-running-not-cleared-for-contact
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic said Tuesday that he has resumed running but remains unavailable for full-contact work, leaving his return to the court at least three weeks away.
The 27-year-old was injured late in the regular season with a left hamstring strain and has missed the entire 2026 NBA postseason. Speaking with reporters in Oklahoma City ahead of Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinal on May 5, 2026, Doncic outlined the current limits of his rehabilitation.
“Yeah, I’m running. Right now I’m running, but I haven’t done any contact,” he said at Paycom Center.
Team physicians initially projected an eight-week recovery window after an MRI, according to Doncic. He suffered a milder hamstring issue in January, but described the current injury as “different” and acknowledged the longer timeline required for healing. “I’m feeling good…working out every day and trying to come back,” he added.
PRP Therapy in Spain
Shortly after the injury, Doncic traveled to Spain for platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment. He received four injections, each administered four days apart, extending his stay overseas. “Obviously everybody knows that it’s one of the best countries to do that,” he said, noting that Lakers medical staff approved the trip and he worked with specialists he had used previously.
Doncic remains the centerpiece of the Lakers’ long-term plans, and both player and organization are proceeding cautiously to avoid setbacks. For now, he will continue daily conditioning while awaiting clearance for contact drills.
Source: LakersNation.com
