OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Luka Doncic said Wednesday he was given platelet-rich plasma injections in Spain as the Los Angeles Lakers star tries to speed up his eight-week timeline for returning from the hamstring injury that has sidelined him since early April.
“I went to Spain to do PRP,” the NBA scoring champion told reporters as the Lakers prepare to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals. “Everybody knows that it's one of the best countries to do that. Obviously, you know, we talked with the Lakers doctors, so everybody agreed for me to go there.”
Each injection required four days of rest in between, resulting in an extended stay in Spain, he said.
“I know and trust lots of people in Spain that I used to work with before,” he said. “I needed four days in between every shot. I did it four times, so that’s why I stayed longer.”
Doncic was injured during the third quarter of a loss to Oklahoma City. on April 2. The Lakers beat the Houston Rockets 4-2 in the first round of the playoffs, with 41-year-old LeBron James taking up much of the scoring slack.
The Lakers lost to the top-seeded Thunder 108-90 in Game 1 on Tuesday. If Doncic can't speed up his recovery timeline, he would miss the entire series and part of the conference finals, should the Lakers advance.
Doncic said he’s been running but has yet to reintroduce contact. He said it has been hard to watch his team while knowing he can't participate.
“It's very frustrating. I don't think people understand how frustrating it is,” he said. “All I want to do is play basketball, especially this time. It's the best time to play basketball. It's very frustrating to see what my team is doing. I'm very proud of them, but it's been very tough to watch.”
The six-time All-Star also understands that coming back too soon would put him at risk.
“It's a tough one for me. I've come back from injuries too soon before, and it wasn't the best result,” he said. “This is the first time I have a hamstring injury. It's not the same like other injuries. You have to be very careful. I'm doing everything to come back.”
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
Los Angeles Lakers' Luka Doncic reacts from the bench after the Lakers were called for a foul during the second half in Game 5 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series against the Houston Rockets, Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Travis d'Arnaud hit a three-run homer, Walbert Ureña threw six innings of two-hit ball, and the Los Angeles Angels defeated the Chicago White Sox 8-2 on Wednesday.
Los Angeles won a series for the first time since April 10-12 at Cincinnati. The Angels are 2-7-2 in series this season.
D'Arnaud's 396-foot shot off Noah Schultz (2-2), the backup catcher's first homer of the season, kicked off a five-run second inning for the Halos. After Bryce Teodosio doubled on a ball that got past right fielder Jarred Kelenic, Zach Neto hit a stand-up RBI triple.
Mike Trout brought one more across with an infield popup that second baseman Chase Meidroth lost in the afternoon sun for a single.
Jorge Soler and Jo Adell were hit by back-to-back pitches from reliever Osvaldo Bido with the bases loaded to bring in two runs in the fourth.
Ureña (1-3) allowed one run, struck out five and walked three in his second quality start of the season. Brent Suter, Drew Pomeranz and Chase Silseth completed a four-hitter.
Meidroth had two hits for Chicago. Standout rookie Munetaka Murakami, who is tied for the major league lead with 14 home runs, struck out four times for the second time this season.
Schultz allowed seven hits and seven runs in 3 2/3 innings. He had allowed a total of six earned runs in four previous starts this year.
Chicago returns home to face Seattle starting Friday, when RHP Sean Burke (2-2, 2.72) is scheduled to start opposite Mariners RHP Emerson Hancock (2-1, 2.59).
Los Angeles begins a series at Toronto on Friday with LHP Reid Detmers (1-2, 4.28) facing Blue Jays RHP Dylan Cease (2-1, 3.05).
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Chicago White Sox pitcher Noah Schultz throws to the plate during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Wednesday, May 6, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Angels pitcher Walbert Ureña throws to the plate during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Wednesday, May 6, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Angels' Zach Neto, right, tries to steal second as Chicago White Sox second baseman Chase Meidroth waits for the ball before tagging him out during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 6, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Chicago White Sox second baseman Chase Meidroth, right, falls while trying to catch a pop fly hit by Los Angeles Angels' Mike Trout as second baseman Vaughn Grissom watches during the second inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 6, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Angels' Travis D'Arnaud, center, hits a three-run home run as Chicago White Sox catcher Drew Romo, right, and home plate umpire Andy Fletcher watch during the second inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 6, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
