Luka Dončić may still be on the sidelines, but a new practice video has Lakers fans buzzing ahead of Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals. The superstar guard, who suffered a Grade 2 hamstring injury during an April 2 regular-season game, was spotted putting up shots at the Lakers' practice facility on Monday. ESPN’s Dave McMenamin captured the clip, showing Dončić moving well and looking sharp—raising hopes that his return might come sooner than expected.
Despite the encouraging footage, ESPN senior insider Shams Charania reported on Sunday that Dončić’s recovery has been on a “slow path.” While he hasn’t been ruled out for Tuesday’s Game 1 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, it’s looking more likely that he’ll miss the start of the series. Still, Charania noted that sources haven’t closed the door on the Slovenian star potentially returning later in the semifinals—a development that could dramatically shift the series momentum.
Dončić has been nothing short of spectacular this season, appearing in 64 games and averaging 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per night. His absence leaves a massive void in the Lakers’ offense, meaning LeBron James and Austin Reaves will need to shoulder an even heavier load against a Thunder squad loaded with firepower. As Reaves recently put it, the team’s mindset is all about stepping up collectively.
The Lakers advanced past the Houston Rockets in six games, but Oklahoma City comes into this series well-rested after sweeping the Phoenix Suns. The Thunder were already favorites, and Dončić’s injury has only widened that gap. Still, if the practice video is any indication, the 27-year-old is pushing hard to get back on the floor. Rust could be a factor if he returns mid-series, but for a player of his caliber, even a limited Dončić is a game-changer.
The next few days will be critical in determining whether fans will see Dončić go head-to-head with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder. For now, Lakers Nation can take solace in seeing their star guard back in action—even if it’s just in practice.