{"id":715584,"date":"2026-04-22T04:10:22","date_gmt":"2026-04-22T04:10:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/715584\/"},"modified":"2026-04-22T04:10:22","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T04:10:22","slug":"lakers-honor-luka-doncic-vs-rockets-as-injury-concern-looms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/715584\/","title":{"rendered":"Lakers Honor Luka Doncic vs Rockets as Injury Concern Looms"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"Luka\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Channing Frye on Luka Doncic<\/p>\n

As the Los Angeles Lakers<\/a> work on gaining a two-game lead over the Houston Rockets, they took some time to honor their superstar guard, Luka Doncic, on the court.<\/p>\n

In street clothes, Doncic accepted his NBA<\/a> scoring champion trophy at center court at Crypto.com Arena.<\/p>\n

via Dave McMenamin, ESPN<\/a>: The Lakers presented Luka Doncic with trophies for the 2025-26 scoring title and being named the Western Conference Player of the Month for March during a first-quarter timeout<\/p>\n

The Lakers presented Luka Doncic with trophies for the 2025-26 scoring title and being named the Western Conference Player of the Month for March during a first quarter timeout <\/p>\n

Doncic lands the award after appearing in 64 games for the Lakers in 2025-2026. He shot 47.6% from the field and hit on 36.6% of his threes throughout the year. Doncic averaged 33.5 points per game.<\/p>\n

The 2025-2026 NBA season marked the second time in Doncic\u2019s career that he led the NBA in points per game. The first time he reached that mark was during the 2023-2024 NBA season. At the time, Doncic averaged 33.9 points with the Dallas Mavericks<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Will Doncic Get A Chance To Play In The Playoffs?\"Luka<\/p>\n

GettyLOS ANGELES, CA \u2013 FEBRUARY 7, 2026: Injured Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) sits on the bench in street clothes next to Los Angeles Lakers forward Maxi Kleber (14) and Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15), right, during the game against the Golden State Warriors<\/a> at Crypto.com Arena on February 7, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.(Gina Ferazzi \/ Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

When Doncic accepted his trophy during Game 2 on Tuesday, the veteran guard was not suited up. He continues to recover from a hamstring strain.<\/p>\n

Doncic suffered the setback during an April 2 game against the Oklahoma City Thunder<\/a>. Amid a 139-96 Lakers loss, Doncic checked out after 25 minutes. He produced 12 points, seven assists, and four rebounds during that time.<\/p>\n

The Lakers played the final five games without Doncic. He also missed the first two games of the first-round series against the Rockets.<\/p>\n

\"Luka<\/p>\n

GettyMIAMI, FLORIDA \u2013 MARCH 19: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Miami Heat<\/a> during the fourth quarter at Kaseya Center on March 19, 2026 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rich Storry\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Before Game 2, Lakers head coach JJ Redick announced that there wasn\u2019t a timeline update to reveal regarding Luka. Doncic recently returned to the court to do some light shooting, but he\u2019s expected to return to on-court work \u201csoon,\u201d according to Redick.<\/p>\n

While that\u2019s a positive sign for Doncic, the NBA insider Shams Charania reported a concerning update hours before Game 2 tipped off. The ESPN reporter stated that the Lakers are \u201cnot expecting Luka Doncic to be back in this series.\u201d<\/p>\n

If the Lakers can advance, there is a chance that Doncic takes the floor. As far as round one, all signs are pointing to Doncic missing out.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tJustin Grasso<\/a> Justin Grasso is an NBA reporter, covering trending league news, transactions, injuries, and player developments. He is a credentialed journalist with nearly a decade of insider access. More about Justin Grasso<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n

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