Luka Doncic to challenge MVP rule with little-known loophole but injury labeled ‘complete disaster’ for Lakers

Apr 4, 2026 - 12:45

The Los Angeles Lakers put their hot stretch to the test when they hit the road to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder.

In the team’s first two matchups, the Thunder handled business, and they did the same on Thursday night.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket during the first half against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Paycom Center on April 2, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. — The Thunder comfortably beat the Lakers on Thursday night

The Thunder got out to a big lead early, and never looked back as they beat the Lakers 139-96 at Paycorn Center.

In even worse news for Los Angeles, star Luka Doncic had to leave the court in the third quarter after pulling up with a hamstring issue.

The non-contact injury left him frustrated and in pain. It’s the same left hamstring that forced him to miss multiple games earlier in the regular season.

How long will Luka Doncic miss with fresh hamstring injury?

After the game, head coach JJ Reddick said that Doncic would undergo an MRI, and the results were not what the Lakers wanted to hear.

The team announced that Doncic had a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, which according to sports doctor Evan Jefferies, carries a 3-6 week recovery time.

This rules him out for the final five-games of the regular season, but he could be fit enough to return for the playoffs, which begin in June.

“They were humiliated, and now Luka is hurt, it’s a complete disaster for the Lakers,” Tim MacMahon said on ESPN’s Get Up.

“It puts his All-NBA status probably up in smoke, forget about the MVP, that was done by the end of the first quarter.

“The Lakers looked like absolute pretenders, but you don’t want to overreact to a blowout loss during the regular season.

“But, even in the best case, the start of the playoffs is now in jeopardy for Luka and this could not have gone worse for the Lakers.

Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after a play during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Paycom Center on April 2, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. — Doncic limped off the court in the third-quarter after pulling up

Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers brings the ball up court against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Paycom Center on April 2, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. — He was diagnosed with a Grade 2 hamstring strain, and will miss the rest of the season

Doncic has already missed 13 games this season, and now that he is ruled out for the remainder of the regular season, the total will hit 18.

Doncic MVP case in trouble but agent plans to appeal

The six-time All-Star was sidelined by the same hamstring earlier in the season, and also missed two games in December to be present for the birth of his child in Slovenia.

Despite time off the court, Doncic is having an MVP-level season, averaging a league-leading 33.5 points, 8.3 assists and 7.7 rebounds per game.

But, his latest injury may cost him the chance to win the first MVP of his career – with NBA rules saying players become ineligible if they are inactive for 18 or more games during the season.

Doncic’s agent, Bill Duffy, wants to appeal the rule, and has suggested his season deserves to be recognized.

“His record-breaking season deserves to be noted in the history books, despite last night’s unfortunate injury and other extraordinary circumstances,” Duffy said in a statement to ESPN.

Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Paycom Center on April 2, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. — Doncic’s agent will appeal the 65-game rule

“To ensure that Luka’s incredible accomplishments this season are rightly honored, and he can be considered for the league’s end-of-season awards, we intend to apply for an ‘Extraordinary Circumstances Challenge’, to the 65-game rule.

“We look forward to working with the NBAPA and the league office to ensure a fair outcome on this matter.”

What is the NBA’s ‘Extraordinary Circumstances Challenge’?

The ‘Extraordinary Circumstances Challenge’ is an option that is included in the NBA’s 65-game participation policy.

To be considered for awards, players must have played in at least 65 games during the regular season. After the injury, Doncic falls short of that mark.

The policy allows for players to appeal if they meet a series of factors that include ‘extraordinary circumstances’ where ‘it was impracticable for him to play in one or more of the Regular Season game(s) that he missed during such season.’

Had Doncic played in the two games he missed for his daughter’s birth, he would have played in 85.7 percent of the Lakers’ games, clearing the threshold.

The Lakers and Doncic can file for exemption starting on the final day of the regular season, then have until the next day to formally submit it.

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