The Lakers suffer a major setback! Luka Doncic may miss the first two rounds of playoffs: Could he only return if the Purple and Gold advance to the Western Conference Finals?

On April 4 Beijing time, the Lakers officially announced that Luka Doncic has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 hamstring strain. How significant is this injury for the Lakers? Previously, medical experts indicated that a Grade 1 strain requires 1-2 weeks for recovery, while a Grade 2 strain typically takes 3-6 weeks. The playoffs are set to begin in 15 days.

Los Angeles reporter Murray stated that Peyton Watson also suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain and was sidelined for 46 days. He recently returned but experienced a setback and is currently under weekly observation.Based on similar recovery timelines, Doncic could potentially miss all games in the first two rounds of the playoffs.

Later, another reporter pointed out that Aaron Gordon suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain during Game 6 but returned to play in Game 7 after only three days of rest. So, recovery indeed varies from person to person.

Injury expert Stotts explained that a Grade 2 strain is also referred to as a partial or incomplete tear.The average absence for such injuries is 35 days (approximately 14.7 games).

Prominent doctor Morse further elaborated on Doncic's injury on social media—

Doncic's physical condition this season has actually been good, but he has been plagued by injuries over multiple past seasons. Currently, there are limited immediate treatment options for this type of injury.Such injuries generally do not require surgery; treatment primarily involves anti-inflammatory injections, intensive rehabilitation therapy, and support from various physical therapy equipment.

For an athlete at Doncic's level, the challenge with a hamstring strain is that he not only needs to run but also perform shooting, pushing off the ground, and other movements. It's not feasible for him to return and play only five minutes before being taken out. The team needs him to be able to play 20, 30, or even 40 minutes and sustain performance in subsequent games.

Therefore, the most difficult aspect is that returning too early would only lead to repeated setbacks and worsening of the injury. This is why the team must handle it cautiously, striving to accelerate treatment while ensuring that when he truly returns, he is restored to 75% to 85% of his capacity, capable of continuing to carry the team in the playoffs.

Unless extremely fortunate, a Grade 2 strain could sideline him for about a month. The team's likely treatment plan includes PRP therapy, which involves drawing blood, centrifuging it, and reinjecting it into the damaged area. This method is effective, but the concentration and efficacy of growth factors are not as high as with stem cells.

If he were my patient, I would recommend amniotic tissue transplantation, using material from a planned cesarean amniotic sac, administered via ultrasound-guided injections to the injured area. For an athlete of his caliber, two to three sessions might be necessary.

He would also undergo daily hyperbaric oxygen therapy, extensive red light therapy, pulsed electromagnetic field therapy, and intensive rehabilitation training. Unfortunately, he cannot use peptides or other more advanced treatments as they are prohibited in professional sports.