When Luka Doncic was diagnosed with a Grade 2 hamstring strain on Friday, many Los Angeles Lakers fans interpreted it as, for all intents and purposes, the end of the season for the team. That sentiment only deepened when Austin Reaves was diagnosed with an oblique strain the next day.
While there is no timetable for either star’s return, Reaves is expected to miss about four to six weeks, while the general timeframe for a return from a Grade 2 hamstring strain is about three to six weeks. The Lakers’ final regular-season game will be on Sunday, April 12, and the NBA playoffs will start on Saturday, April 18.
Doncic will reportedly head to Europe to seek “specialized treatment” for his injury after consulting with the Lakers’ medical staff and his own medical team. Dr. Jesse Morse, who specializes in sports injuries, posted on X (formerly Twitter) that the types of treatments available in Europe could result in Doncic returning to action in as little as three weeks.
“Germany (& Switzerland) traditionally lead the world in cutting edge medical treatments, especially Stem cells,” Morse wrote.
“He’s likely getting a combination of MSC’s, placental tissue, exosomes, as well as other treatments not legal here in the United States. Remind me of what Kobe [Bryant] did many years ago.
“They will be injected under ultrasound guidance directly into each area of weakness in his hamstring.
“… Additionally, he’s probably using various modalities to speed up the healing, possibly Inuspharesis or TPE.
“Wouldn’t be surprised if they use Peptides on him over there, as there is a specific type called nano peptides from Switzerland (that I know the manufacturer of). Of course these are banned here in the United States, but if he gets them there and is able to get them cleared from his system before he returns, no issues. Hence the TPE.
“… There’s a very good chance that Luka will be back and ready to play in 3 to 4 weeks.
“Modern medicine is amazing!”
However, Dr. Brian Sutterer, a sports medicine doctor, feels Doncic wouldn’t gain anything by getting treatment overseas.
“I’d love to get the honest reaction of the Lakers medical staff essentially being told they aren’t good enough to rehab a hamstring strain,” Sutterer wrote on X.
“We have great literature showing good old American made platelet poor and rich plasma injections speed up hamstring recovery and decrease repeat injury
“Not aware of anything in Europe that would make a literature proven difference”
Doncic’s injury interrupted a sensational season from him, not to mention a spurt during which the Lakers won 16 of 18 games. He’s leading the NBA with an average of 33.5 points a game, but since he has only appeared in 64 games, he will not be eligible for end-of-season awards, as the league has a rule requiring players to play in 65 games to receive such awards.
His agent, Bill Duffy, will apply for a special exemption to that 65-game rule, since Doncic missed two games earlier this season to be present for the birth of his second child in Europe.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Injury doctor: ‘Very good chance’ Luka Doncic returns in 3-4 weeks
Reporting by Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire / LeBron Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
