LOS ANGELES — Luka Doncic has not fully recovered from his Grade 2 left hamstring strain and remains sidelined indefinitely, with the Los Angeles Lakers not expecting their superstar to return during the first round of the 2026 playoffs against the Houston Rockets, though he has begun progressing toward on-court activity.

The 27-year-old suffered the injury on April 2 during a blowout loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. An MRI confirmed the partial tear, ruling him out for the remainder of the regular season. While standard recovery timelines for a Grade 2 hamstring strain typically range from four to six weeks, the Lakers are proceeding with extreme caution to avoid re-aggravation that could sideline him for the rest of the postseason.

As of April 24, Doncic has not yet begun full on-court work but is expected to start soon, according to head coach JJ Redick. He has been participating in light non-contact activities such as shooting, rebounding and passing drills. Redick described progress as positive but offered no firm timeline, reiterating that both Doncic and Austin Reaves (oblique strain) are “out indefinitely.”

Medical experts and team insiders suggest the most realistic target for Doncic’s return is the second round of the playoffs, assuming the Lakers advance. Some optimistic scenarios, fueled by specialized treatment he received in Europe (reportedly including PRP injections and stem cell therapy), point to a possible return in 3–4 weeks from the injury date — potentially aligning with early May if the series extends. However, the Lakers are sticking to a conservative approach.

A recent study on similar hamstring injuries treated with advanced injections showed athletes returning approximately nine days faster than conventional methods (23.5 days versus 32.4 days on average). Even with this accelerated protocol, full recovery and game readiness remain weeks away. Physical therapists note that rushing a Grade 2 strain often leads to setbacks, with recurrence rates dropping significantly when proper healing time is respected.

Doncic’s absence has forced LeBron James and the supporting cast to carry a heavier load. The Lakers have managed a 2-0 series lead over the Rockets despite missing two key starters, showcasing impressive depth. Redick has praised the team’s resilience while emphasizing patience with star recoveries.

The Slovenian star, acquired by the Lakers in a major offseason move, was having an MVP-caliber season before the injury, leading the league in scoring. His playmaking, scoring and size create unique matchup problems that no other player replicates. His return, whenever it occurs, would dramatically shift the Lakers’ ceiling in the Western Conference.

Fan frustration and optimism mix on social media. Many express understanding for the cautious timeline while anxiously awaiting any positive update. Kalshi traders currently give Doncic just a 24% chance of returning before May 4, reflecting the conservative outlook from the organization.

The injury occurred late in the regular season, forcing the Lakers to navigate final games and secure playoff positioning without their primary offensive engine. Despite the setback, Los Angeles earned a favorable first-round matchup. Medical staff continue daily monitoring, with progress reports focusing on pain-free movement, strength testing and gradual ramp-up in intensity.

Broader implications stretch beyond this series. A healthy Doncic transforms the Lakers into legitimate title contenders. His absence has tested the supporting cast’s resilience, with James shouldering extra minutes. The team’s ability to win without him boosts confidence but also underscores the need for his eventual return.

Doncic’s history with hamstring issues adds another layer of caution. He dealt with a milder strain earlier in the season. This Grade 2 tear represents a more significant setback, but his youth, conditioning and access to cutting-edge treatment provide reasons for optimism in a full recovery.

As the series shifts to Houston for Game 3 on Friday, all eyes remain on the injury report. While no immediate update points to Doncic playing soon, incremental progress toward on-court work signals the beginning of his return journey. The Lakers will continue their series push without him in the immediate future, building momentum while their franchise cornerstone prepares for a calculated comeback.

Management of the injury reflects lessons from past high-profile cases across the league. Protecting star players from premature returns has become standard as organizations balance short-term results with long-term roster health. For Doncic, the priority is clear: heal properly to maximize impact whenever he steps back on the floor.

The basketball world watches closely. Doncic’s unique skill set makes him one of the game’s most exciting talents. His recovery process will likely shape the Lakers’ playoff fate and influence narratives around load management and star availability in today’s NBA.

For now, the answer to whether he is fully recovered remains no. But with on-court work approaching and specialized treatment completed, the timeline is moving in the right direction. The Lakers will continue their series without him in the immediate future, building momentum while their superstar prepares for a strong return.

cmp: Rs 1,135.70

target price: Rs 1,246

Prabhudas Lilladher has a ���reduce��� rating on Infosys Technologies as it feels that the outlook for the company and the software industry is quite weak in the near-term.

���While we expect Infosys to perform better than most other players in the industry, we rate the stock ���reduce��� with a target of Rs 1,246,��� says the report.

With a difficult FY10E and full-tax FY11E, the two-year earnings CAGR (FY09-11) for the company is unlikely to be over 10-15%, it adds. According to the broking house, the company���s pricing power in fresh contracts would remain under pressure as ���pricing behaviour by competition has turned aggressive in new contracts.���

While Infosys has seen some weakness in the BFSI domain in the recent past, the outfit expects this weakness to ���spread to retail and possibly the manufacturing domains as well.��� Of the various service lines, Enterprise Solutions may be worst affected over the next few quarters, according to the management, it adds. The broking house is also expecting another reduction in US dollar guidance by Infosys.

About 50,000 adjustable dumbbells sold at Walmart have been recalled after reports of injuries, federal safety officials said.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission said the FitRx SmartBell Quick-Select 5-52.5 lb. Adjustable Dumbbells, made by New York-based Tzumi Electronics, should be immediately replaced.

According to the agency, the weight plates can dislodge from the handle during use, posing an “impact hazard.”

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The agency said it received more than 115 reports of the plates coming loose.

At least six injuries have been reported, including broken toes, bruises, contusions and lacerations.

The recalled dumbbells are model 8361 and carry serial numbers KK23288361 through KK23388361 and KK207608361 through KK21347836.

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The dumbbells adjust from 5 to 52.5 pounds in 2.5- or 5-pound increments. They are black with red accents and include a molded plastic storage tray.

Walmart sold the dumbbells for about $100 from January through November 2024.

Consumers are advised to stop using the dumbbells immediately and contact Tzumi Electronics for a free replacement.

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Customers can mark the word “Recalled” on the tray using permanent marker or paint and register at myfitrx.com/recall-52-lbs/, the agency said.

Tzumi Electronics can also be reached at 866-363-2237 or by email at smartbellrecall@tzumi.com.

FOX Business has reached out to Walmart and Tzui Electronics for comment.

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This refers to your edit ���A welcome quest��� (ET, Oct 8). It is imperative to have a strong database. But just having a database of employment is not enough; the data has to be consistent. It has been observed that data vary from ministry to ministry, department to department. India���s information system is not very precise and efficient. One centralised database system can address this issue which will provide access to the diverse group of people and policymakers with consistency.

Debasish Maitra

IRMA, Anand, October 8

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