Luka Doncic Europe Hamstring Treatment Could Save Lakers

Luka Dončić will pursue specialized medical treatment in Europe as he races to return from a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, agent Bill Duffy told ESPN. Ruled out for the rest of the regular season on April 3, Dončić’s playoff availability is uncertain, and the Lakers’ title hopes hinge on his return. He averaged 33.5 points, 8.3 assists and 7.7 rebounds in 64 games, and Duffy says the team will file an Extraordinary Circumstances Challenge because he "missed two games this season for the birth of his second child in Slovenia" and "His record-breaking season deserves to be noted in the history books." Merlin sees the decision to seek European specialists as a sign of urgency. A Grade 2 hamstring often needs weeks of rehab, so an early playoff return is possible but risky. If Luka comes back near full strength, Los Angeles becomes a different team.