Lakers’ Luka Doncic injures hamstring in blowout loss to Thunder

CITY OF OKLAHOMA — The score wasn’t the only thing that made this the Lakers’ worst loss of the season.

Even more concerning than the Lakers’ 139-96 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday was seeing superstar guard Luka Doncic leave the court with a left hamstring injury in the third quarter.

The 27-year-old guard was held to just 12 points and seven assists, and he committed six turnovers before going down with 7:39 left in the third quarter. He grabbed the back of his left leg and limped to the baseline, where he lowered himself to the court, rolled onto his back and covered his face. Worried teammates surrounded him. Coach JJ Redick offered him a hand to get him back on his feet.

Doncic will undergo an MRI on Friday, Redick said, before the Lakers (50-27) play Doncic’s former team, the Dallas Mavericks, on Sunday. In a subdued locker room, the Lakers found themselves grappling with their largest margin of defeat since November 27, 2023, amid the possibility of having to finish the regular season without the NBA’s leading scorer.

“At this point in the season, that’s the last thing you want to see,” said LeBron James, who had 13 points, six rebounds and two assists. “Especially — anyone on our team — but when you have an MVP candidate on your team, the last thing you want to see is someone hurting their hamstring. … I obviously don’t know what it is, so pray for the best and a speedy recovery.”

Guard Austin Reaves shook off his own injury scare to finish with 15 points, one assist and four turnovers after clutching his left lower back for most of the first quarter. He said he overextended while chasing a stray ball. He turned the ball over trying to connect with Deandre Ayton on the next possession, immediately hitting his lower back after the pass went bad.

The Lakers had averaged just 12.6 turnovers per game since the All-Star break — third fewest in the NBA during that span — but committed 18 against the aggressive Thunder (61-16), who had 12 steals. The Lakers committed eight turnovers in the first quarter, giving the defending NBA champions an easy 14 points and a 23-point first-quarter lead.

“That’s the game here,” James said.

Doncic had only five points in the first quarter. He was one of six on the field. With 1:06 left in the second quarter, Doncic drove into the paint to fire a two-handed overhead pass to Luke Kennard for a corner three. As Kennard’s shot went around the rim and bounced, Doncic grabbed his left hamstring.

Doncic and Reaves were examined and treated at halftime and cleared to play, Redick said. Reaves returned with 9:40 left in the third quarter and grabbed his back after his first touch, but said after the game that he felt “okay.”

With the Lakers (50-27) down 31 points at halftime, Redick said the plan was to give the banged-up Stars about six minutes to see if they could take the lead.

Doncic was injured at 4:21 of the third quarter. The Lakers were down 32.

“We’re not going to put any player in danger,” Redick said. “These things happen.”

Oklahoma City star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, center, drives past Lakers star Luka Doncic during the first half Thursday.

(Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

Doncic missed four games with a left hamstring injury in February and played against the Brooklyn Nets on March 27 as the Lakers went 15-2 in March.

One of the only teams hotter than the Lakers entering Thursday was the Thunder, who had won 15 of their last 16 games. Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dominated the highly anticipated Most Valuable Player game with 28 points on efficient 12-of-25 shooting in less than 30 minutes, with seven assists and seven rebounds.

Doncic recently entered the MVP conversation after scoring 600 points last month, joining Michael Jordan as the only players in NBA history to achieve that feat in March. He was named Western Conference Player of the Month on Thursday, adding another line to his MVP candidacy.

But after limping off the field, Doncic may not be eligible for the coveted prize. He played in his 64th game Thursday, needing one more appearance in the Lakers’ final five games to reach the 65-game eligibility threshold.