The Los Angeles Lakers tip off a daunting playoff challenge tomorrow against the Oklahoma City Thunder, entering the best-of-seven series as clear underdogs once again. It's a familiar position for the purple and gold, who faced similar odds in the previous round against the Houston Rockets. While they managed to stay competitive in that series—especially with Kevin Durant sidelined—the margin for error is even slimmer this time around.

Having Luka Doncic on the floor would dramatically shift the balance. But the latest update from ESPN's Brian Windhorst suggests the star guard remains far from a return. Speaking on Get Up this Monday, Windhorst painted a cautious picture of Doncic's rehab progress.

"He is not close," Windhorst stated. "There is a whole ramp up that is required when you are coming back from a hamstring. He has not started that contact ramp up yet." He added, "The Lakers got a break by starting this series a little bit after, by resting LeBron, but it has not brought Luka back. A series lasts 14 days. I don't know where they'll be in 10 days, but do not expect to see Luka in the first few games of the series."

Doncic's absence is a massive blow. During the regular season, he averaged an eye-popping 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game, according to SofaScore—numbers that kept him in MVP conversations throughout the year. Without him, the Lakers lose their primary scorer and playmaker against the league's best team.

The numbers tell the story. According to StatMuse, the Lakers hold a 14-10 record without Doncic across the 2026 regular season and playoffs, averaging 111.1 points per game. With him on the court, that record jumps to 43-21, and the scoring average climbs to 116.9 points per game. The difference is night and day, and it underscores just how much the Lakers need their superstar back in the lineup to stand a chance against the Thunder.