Luka Doncic didn't deny his frustration and disappointment of being out for the Lakers, as his problematic hamstring injury kept him out just when it mattered the most this postseason.
Luka Doncic is more disappointed than anyone about missing this critical point of the season for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Los Angeles Lakers / Schedule
While he completely understands everyone's wish for him to play, the Slovenian superstar made it clear that he hasn't fully healed yet from his hamstring injury.
“It’s very frustrating," Doncic told reporters as the Lakers saw a season-ending 115-110 Game 4 loss against the OKC Thunder in the second round of the NBA Playoffs. "I know some people wanted me back, but obviously I wasn’t close to clearing. There was some stuff in the media that went out that wasn’t true. None of those people saw my MRIs or know anything, so it wasn’t really true.
"If I could be out there, I would be 100%. Everybody in that room knows that. But it’s been really tough. This is the best time to play basketball, so not being able to help my team was hard."
Doncic went down with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain in early April. Since the brutal injury occurrence, Doncic has never been able to play for the Lakers again.
The hamstring strain prompted Doncic to travel to Europe and seek specialized medical treatment. Despite this, he failed to recover as soon as the Lakers had ever hoped.
Even in the absence of Doncic, the Lakers managed to withstand adversity, winning the final three games of their regular season to finish with 53 wins and clinch the fourth-best record in the Western Conference. They went on to eliminate the Houston Rockets in six games of the opening round of the postseason.
But with Doncic out, who has led the NBA this season in scoring with a historic 33.5 points, the Lakers stood without a chance against an invincible OKC team that is on its way to a potential title repeat.
Right now, as the offseason officially starts for him and the Lakers, Doncic is putting his own welfare as his main priority.
Doncic already announced his plans not to join Slovenia this upcoming summer for the FIBA World Cup qualifying games.
"Looking to the offseason, I’m still doing recovery," Doncic said, "So that’s the first thing.”
Subscribe to BN+ and get access to exclusive content.
If you like our content, please click here and add us as your preferred source. It helps us a lot, and we are committed to delivering you the very latest basketball news.