The Los Angeles Lakers‘ 2025-26 season came to a close on Monday, getting swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in four games.
Los Angeles advanced to the second round before the exit, and was able to do it all without superstar guard Luka Doncic. The 27-year-old missed the final five games of the regular season and all of the postseason after suffering a Grade 2 hamstring strain on April 2.
Many believed Doncic would return at some point this season. After revealing an eight-week recovery period for the setback, this hope drained, ultimately leading to Doncic never returning.
However, the Lakers won their first-round series against the Houston Rockets, four games to two. This showed that a LeBron James-led team was still putting in the effort and deserved its spot in the NBA Playoffs.
Luka Doncic Provides Injury Update After Lakers’ Game 4 Loss to Thunder
After the Lakers’ season officially came to an end on Monday night, Luka Doncic addressed the media. He covered the unfortunate injury he was dealt and the rehab that comes along with it.
“It was really tough,” Luka Doncic said following the Lakers’ Game 4 loss to the Thunder. “Like I said, this is the best time to play basketball. I was sad not to be able to help my team. Looking to the offseason, obviously I’m still doing recovery. So that’s the first thing.”
Although he was unable to return for the Lakers during the postseason, Luka Doncic is making the necessary steps in recovery.
“I was doing lifting, running and shooting, but I haven’t done contact. I wasn’t cleared yet, so that stuff will come in the next week or two probably.”
A return wasn’t in line for the winner of the NBA’s scoring title this season. However, he’s expected to be ready for the start of the 2026-27 season.
Doncic announced that he withdrew from the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers that take place this summer to focus on spending more time with his daughters.
Rob Pelinka Says Lakers Want LeBron James and Austin Reaves Back Next Season
The Lakers will have a lot of decisions to make while anticipating to have around $50 million in salary cap space this offseason. The two main players that will addressed are LeBron James and Austin Reaves.
LeBron James’ contract expired this season. Lakers general manager, Rob Pelinka, says Los Angeles wants to accept James back with open arms this offseason.
“The thing we want to do more than anything else is honor him back,” Pelinka said. “I think the first order of business there is allowing him to spend the time he needs to decide what his next steps are… We just want to honor that for him.”
“Of course any team, including ours, would love to have LeBron James on their roster. That’s a blessing in itself, just with what he does.”
Now in terms of Austin Reaves, who has a $14.98 million player option for the 2026-27 season. Pelinka says that both Reaves and the Lakers want the standout guard to return to Los Angeles moving forward.
“I think both sides have made it abundantly clear that we want to work something out where he continues his prolific career here.”
In an injury-riddled season, Austin Reaves put together career numbers. Through 51 games, he averaged 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.5 assists on 49.0/36.0/87.1 shooting splits.
Pairing him alongside Luka Doncic for years to come seems to be the idea that Rob Pelinka and the rest of the Lakers’ front office wants moving forward.
Lakers’ Luka Doncic Reveals Injury Update After Playoff Elimination vs. Thunder