Business
5 Key Things to Know About His Grade 2 Hamstring Strain
LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 NBA regular season after suffering a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, dealing a significant blow to the team’s playoff positioning and his MVP candidacy just weeks before the postseason begins.
The Slovenian guard, who has led the NBA in scoring much of the season, went down in the third quarter of the Lakers’ 139-96 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 2. He grabbed his left hamstring after a spin move near the paint and did not return, finishing with 12 points, four rebounds and seven assists in 26 minutes. An MRI the following day confirmed the partial tear.
Here are five essential things to know about Doncic’s injury as the Lakers prepare for the 2026 NBA Playoffs without their primary offensive engine.
1. It’s a Grade 2 hamstring strain with a typical 3-to-6 week recovery timeline. A Grade 2 strain involves a partial tear of the muscle fibers, causing significant pain, swelling and weakness. Injury analysts note the average recovery time hovers around 35 days, though it can range from three to six weeks or longer depending on the exact location and severity. The Lakers have ruled Doncic out for the final stretch of the regular season, with only five games remaining as of early April. Playoffs begin April 18, giving him a narrow window if healing progresses faster than expected.
2. Doncic is seeking specialized treatment in Europe to expedite his return. After consulting with Lakers doctors and his personal medical team, Doncic traveled to Spain for an injection procedure and advanced rehabilitation aimed at accelerating healing. Agent Bill Duffy confirmed the move, stating the goal is to maximize the chance of a playoff return. Reports indicate he has already completed phase one of his recovery program and is responding well, though no firm timetable has been set. Lakers coach JJ Redick described Doncic as being in “relatively good spirits” and attacking rehab aggressively.
3. The injury creates a major power vacuum for the Lakers in the Western Conference. With Austin Reaves also sidelined by an oblique strain, the Lakers are without two of their top offensive creators heading into the postseason. The team sits third in the West with a 50-27 record, but the absence of Doncic — their leading scorer and playmaker — shifts heavy responsibility to LeBron James and a supporting cast that has struggled in recent blowout losses. Analysts say the injury dramatically alters playoff seeding scenarios and matchup projections across the conference.
4. It jeopardizes Doncic’s MVP case and individual award eligibility. Doncic entered April as a legitimate MVP candidate and frontrunner for the scoring title. However, missing the remainder of the regular season raises questions about the 65-game threshold required for most major awards. While the injury is unlikely to be classified as “season-ending” under NBA rules (which consider sidelining a player through at least May 31), his limited games could cost him All-NBA honors and weaken his MVP standing. Betting markets quickly removed him from contention following the diagnosis.
5. History suggests a rushed playoff return carries significant risk. Recent NBA data on Grade 2 hamstring strains shows players often struggle to regain full explosiveness quickly. Returning too soon can lead to re-injury or diminished performance in high-stakes playoff games. If Doncic does suit up for the first round, he would be defying typical recovery patterns for this type of injury. The Lakers must balance the desire for their star’s presence against the long-term health of a player central to the franchise’s future.
The timing could hardly be worse for the Lakers. Doncic had been dominant all season, carrying the offense while James managed his own workload. His absence forces adjustments in offensive schemes, increased minutes for role players and potentially altered defensive strategies. LeBron James called the injury “the last thing you want to see,” especially for an MVP candidate on a contending team.
Fan reaction has been a mix of concern and cautious optimism. Social media buzzed with debates over whether Doncic should attempt a return even at less than 100 percent or if the team should prioritize his long-term health. Some pointed to past examples of stars playing through hamstring issues with mixed results.
Medical experts emphasize that hamstring strains, particularly in explosive athletes like Doncic, require careful management. The muscle group is prone to recurrence if not fully healed, and the high-speed, stop-start nature of NBA basketball amplifies the risk.
For the Lakers, the injury underscores broader roster construction questions. Reliance on star power has defined recent seasons, and the current crisis highlights vulnerabilities when key pieces go down. Depth will be tested in the coming weeks as the team fights for favorable playoff positioning without its Slovenian superstar.
Doncic, 27, has built a reputation for toughness and resilience throughout his career. He has overcome previous injuries, including earlier hamstring and groin issues this season, to deliver elite performances. His work ethic in rehab has been praised by teammates and coaches, providing a sliver of hope that he could factor into the postseason.
As April 12 approaches, updates from Europe and the Lakers’ training facility will be closely monitored. Any sign of accelerated healing could shift playoff narratives, while prolonged recovery might force the Lakers into an underdog role against stronger Western Conference opponents.
The broader NBA landscape feels the ripple effects. A diminished or absent Doncic changes series previews, betting lines and championship odds. Teams like the Thunder, who delivered the blowout in which he was injured, could see improved paths forward.
Doncic’s situation also reignites discussions about NBA scheduling, load management and the 65-game rule for awards. Some argue the compressed season and back-to-back demands increase injury risk for star players carrying heavy minutes.
For now, the focus remains on Doncic’s recovery. He continues daily rehabilitation, with the injection procedure in Spain representing a calculated gamble to compress the timeline. Lakers medical staff will work in tandem with his European team to monitor progress and avoid setbacks.
Whether he returns for the playoffs — and at what level — remains uncertain. What is clear is that the Lakers’ playoff hopes hinge on how effectively they adapt without their generational talent and whether Doncic can defy recovery odds once more.
As the regular season winds down, all eyes turn to Los Angeles for the next injury update on one of the NBA’s most dynamic stars. The 2026 postseason may look very different depending on Luka Doncic’s availability.
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Kaynar Group founder Kyle Ringin has been named the First Amongst Equals at the 2026 40under40 business awards, taking out the top honour recognising Western Australia’s emerging business leaders.
More than 600 people took to Crown to celebrate the tradie-turned-entrepreneur and 39 others in the 25th year of the Business News awards gala on Friday evening.
Attendees were entertained with a night of performances by Williams Creative Co, Japanese Wadaiko ensemble Taiko On and DJ crossed with live music duo, The New Now.
Having judged most of the 40under40 awards since its inception in 2002, Business News senior journalist and chief judge Mark Pownall said WA has continued to offer up a diverse cohort of excellent candidates.
Choosing the winners, he said, remained a challenge from the beginning.
“In our first year of 40under40, the judging panel caused a bit of angst for the event organisers by deciding to name two winners, because we could not split the tied pair,” Mr Pownall said.
“One was from a family business, the other from corporate WA.
“I felt that start set the tone for 40under40.”
Now, a total of 1,000 of WA’s business leaders have been inducted as 40under40 winners.
“It is not about any one sector in this state – it isn’t just small business, or family business, or startup founder, or careerists who have made it on St Georges Terrace,” Mr Pownall said.
“All of those can have a crack, and they have.”
Having undertaken an extensive interview and application process, Mr Ringin was recognised as both First Amongst Equals and the winner of the Family Business category.
Working as an apprentice auto electrician and workshop foreman in Broome, he identified a gap in the Kimberley for a reliable, locally skilled trades provider.
That led him to establish maintenance, mining and civil solutions provider Kaynar Group with his wife and co-founder Shaylee Greechan in 2020.
Mr Ringin has turned operating in extreme remoteness into a competitive advantage, all while delivering real impact for WA’s north.
Kaynar Group has grown rapidly over the past five years in both revenue and staff, employing more than 130 people.
But Mr Ringin‘s secret to success is simple – to seize any opportunity when it comes.
“One of our clients had a need for a mining provider when their current mining provider left,” he said after receiving the top honour.
“We stepping in without any right to be doing that, and delivered a mining program for six months to an exceptional standard that taught us we can deliver other disciplines as well.”
Using a people-first approach, Mr Ringin continues to build his local workforce and create opportunities for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous remote youth through apprenticeships, TAFE and community partnerships.
“We are a people business and we trade in time but our product is trust, and this represents that,” Mr Ringin said.
First Amongst Equals finalists Jessica Wilson, Ben Smith and Kyle Hoath missed out on the top honour, but all won in other categories.
Ms Wilson, a Yindjibarndi and Njamal entrepreneur and artist, took home the Indigenous Business award.
As the founder of Seven Sisters Collective, she helps find opportunities for Indigenous artists on large projects and builds education among businesses.
After a career spanning hyper-growth consumer brands, Mr Smith’s leadership as chief executive of alcohol, drug and mental health support provider Holyoake earned him the Community, Social Enterprise or Not for Profit award.
And Dr Hoath, a defining voice in the state’s medical and civil leadership, won the Small or Start-Up Business award.
The consultant psychiatrist and newly elected President of the Australian Medical Association WA co-founded Oqea – a technology platform modernising mental health care.
The Pantry Group founder Sam Kaye was recognised with the People’s Choice award – recognising his journey which went from working at Daisies Cottesloe to owning the cafe alongside three other hospitality venues.
The other major category winners include:
You can read more about each of the winners in the May 18 edition of Business News’ print magazine, which will also be available online.
Congratulations to all of 2026’s 40under40 winners:
Jessica Wilson: Seven Sisters Collective
Sam Kaye: The Pantry Group
Zoran Aleksic: PCH Civil
Stephen Tormey: Bennco Engineering
David Gozzard: The University of Western Australia
Justin Barnes: Rocket Launcher
Tandin Dorji: Kingston International College
Joshua Wigley: Hyperion Systems
Mathew Wilson: Wilco Maintenance Solutions
Rowan Streater: Mayfair Building Co
Kane Smith: Smartfix
Alastair Mackenzie: Buddiup
Benn Ellard: White Spark Pictures / Surround Sync
Jo Gibb: Coliving Collective
Mark Bond: Consolidated Electrical Solutions
Luke Whelan: Perth is OK! / Social Meteor
Michael Agostino: Trendsetter Homes / Select Living
Damien Wragg: Trainwest
Ashley McGrath: CEOs for Gender Equity
Isabelle Charter: Betterlabs
Jeroen van Dalen: Integral Development Associates
Catherine Hyde: Amity Resources
Rachel Falzon: Women in Defence Association
Eli Barlow: Funday Entertainment Group / Lavender Estate
Jonathan Cover: JPS Management and Execution / Safe Isolation Australia
Mark D’Alessandro: Contec Australia / JCM Property Group
Samantha Johnson: Sexual Health Quarters
The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq have advanced to record closing highs, boosted by robust earnings and a dip in crude prices.
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Ronojoy Banerjee
Communications Lead – Finance
Good morning, and a very warm welcome to this Volvo Cars press conference, where we will be talking about our first quarter financial results and our strategic direction as a company.
My name is Ron. And as always, this morning, I’m joined by our President and Chief Executive, Hakan Samuelsson; our Chief Financial Officer, Fredrik Hansson; and we’re also joined by our Chief Commercial Officer, Erik Severinson. At the start of this press conference, Hakan, Erik and Fredrik will walk us through our performance. And thereafter, we’ll throw it open for a question-and-answer round.
You can participate in the Q&A around in two ways. [Operator Instructions ] I’ll come back with more information ahead of the Q&A round.
But for now, I’ll hand it over to you, Hakan.
Hakan Samuelsson
CEO, President & Director
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Abel took a moment to reflect on Berkshire’s values. He started by talking about a letter he sent to the company’s 400,000 employees when he took over as CEO in January.
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