Dončić regrets playing through injury that ended Lakers season

Summarised from 2 outlets · 6 reports · Updated 9 Oct, 02:48 · Archive

Luka Dončić says he should have sat out a game against Oklahoma City Thunder last April when he felt a hamstring tweak, rather than pushing through an injury that sidelined him for the postseason.

Luka Dončić sustained a Grade 2 hamstring strain against the Oklahoma City Thunder on 2 April in what was meant to be a measuring-stick game for the Lakers against the reigning NBA champions. The Lakers were on a 16-2 run at the time, and Dončić had been playing exceptionally well, averaging 37.5 points, 8 rebounds and 7.4 assists in March and entering the MVP conversation. The Thunder defeated the Lakers decisively, 139-96.

Dončić felt a tweak in his left hamstring in the second quarter but decided to push through the pain. Five minutes into the third quarter, the pain worsened and he was taken out of the game. An MRI revealed the Grade 2 strain, which caused him to miss the final five games of the season and the entire postseason.

Speaking to Sports Illustrated, Dončić acknowledged his mistake. 'When it comes to my spirit of trying to win, I am just stubborn,' he said. 'I felt a little bit in the first half that I should have just stopped. I should have come out.' He believes the injury robbed the Lakers of a championship opportunity. The injury came months before LeBron James departed the Lakers for the Philadelphia 76ers, with the two stars having maintained mutual respect following James' exit.

How it is being reported

• Luka Dončić says he 'definitely' regrets playing through hamstring injury that ended his seasonLuka Dončić revealed he felt a hamstring tweak against the Oklahoma City Thunder but pushed through, a decision he says cost the Lakers a title.Fox News · 9 Oct, 02:30
• Austin Reaves proposes crazy idea to help Luka Doncic reach ‘different’ levelAustin Reaves knows how to get Luka Doncic fired up and he’s willing to go to extreme lengths to ensure the Lakers superstar plays well. Reaves has thought about hiring fans to talk trash to Doncic throughout games in order to awaken the Slovenian beast inside. Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves gestures as he...New York Post · 8 Oct, 22:29
• Luka Dončić believes his injury robbed Lakers of a championship opportunityThere are certain moments that haunt us. That gnaw at us. That creep into our minds in quiet moments and play with our emotions like a fiddle. Luka Dončić knows his. It happened on April 2 in a game against the Thunder last season. It was a measuring stick game against the reigning NBA champions....New York Post · 8 Oct, 21:56
• Luka Doncic’s parting words to LeBron James speak volumesLuka Dončić has now had several months to digest LeBron James’ exit from the Lakers. The superstars had a solid relationship as teammates, and the mutual respect they have continued even after James took his talents to Philadelphia. LeBron James (23) of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on against the New York Knicks during a preseason...New York Post · 8 Oct, 19:13
• Lakers’ uneven preseason nothing to worry about for Luka Doncic, teammatesThe Lakers are moving in the right direction during preseason.New York Post · 7 Oct, 22:30
• Luka Doncic among Lakers’ sitting out against WarriorsLakers superstar guard among key players sidelined for preseason game against Warriors.New York Post · 7 Oct, 03:34

In this story: Luka Dončić · Oklahoma City Thunder · Los Angeles Lakers · LeBron James · Philadelphia 76ers

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