The Western Conference semifinals are here, and both the Los Angeles Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunder are feeling the absence of their star players. As the best-of-seven series tips off, Luka Dončić and Jalen Williams are sidelined with hamstring injuries—leaving fans wondering when their favorite stars will return to the court. Let’s break down the latest updates.

For the Lakers, Luka Dončić has been out since April 2 after suffering a Grade 2 hamstring strain. Typically, this type of injury requires three to eight weeks of recovery, and we’re now at about four weeks and five days. While a regular-season injury might mean a two-month absence, the playoffs have accelerated the timeline for his return. Dončić traveled to Spain shortly after the injury for regenerative treatments not widely available in the U.S., hoping to speed up his recovery. He’s been seen doing spot-up shooting drills at practice, but he’s been ruled out for Game 1. Lakers head coach JJ Redick offered little clarity, simply stating, “I don’t have any updates on Luka.” ESPN’s Brian Windhorst recently projected that Dončić will likely miss the “front end” of the series, with a potential return in “at least another week to 10 days.” That timeline could align with Game 3 on Saturday, May 9.

On the Thunder side, Jalen Williams has been out since April 22 with his own hamstring issue. As a key contributor for Oklahoma City, his absence is felt deeply in this high-stakes matchup. While details on his recovery are less specific, the Thunder are hopeful he can return at some point during the series. Both teams are in a mad dash to get their stars back on the floor, knowing that every game counts in the postseason.

For now, fans will have to watch closely as the series unfolds. Will Dončić and Williams make a comeback to swing the momentum? Stay tuned—and in the meantime, gear up for the playoffs with the latest performance apparel to support your team through every game.