LOS ANGELES — Nearly four weeks after suffering a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic continues a cautious rehabilitation protocol focused on controlled on-court movement and progressive loading, with no firm timetable for return as the team battles through its first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets.

The Slovenian guard, who injured his hamstring late in a blowout loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 2, remains listed as out indefinitely. Coach JJ Redick confirmed this week that Doncic has advanced beyond standstill drills to light on-court activity, marking a significant step in his recovery from the partial muscle tear.

Medical experts describe a Grade 2 hamstring strain as involving noticeable fiber disruption without a complete rupture, typically requiring four to six weeks for full recovery. Doncic’s aggressive approach included traveling to Madrid shortly after the injury for specialized regenerative treatments, including platelet-rich plasma and stem cell injections under the care of physicians linked to his former club, Real Madrid.

Those interventions aimed to accelerate healing, potentially compressing the standard timeline. As of late April, sports medicine specialists like Dr. Jesse Morse estimated a possible return window of 10 to 14 days from the point when meaningful on-court movement begins, placing a potential comeback in mid-to-late May if progress holds.

Redick provided the most recent public update, noting Doncic “was able to move today a little bit on the court. Most of the stuff has been standstill. He’s progressing.” The coach stressed there is still no timeline, echoing reports from ESPN’s Shams Charania that the recovery path remains slow. Doncic has not yet progressed to one-on-one work or full-speed scrimmaging.

The protocol follows a standard phased return-to-play model for hamstring injuries in elite athletes. Phase one emphasized protection and controlled mobility, including rest, compression, physical therapy and the European injections. Phase two has introduced light jogging, directional changes and basketball-specific movements at sub-maximal effort. Subsequent phases will incorporate sprinting, jumping, cutting and contact before clearance for game play.

Lakers medical staff monitor metrics such as muscle strength symmetry, flexibility and pain-free range of motion. Hamstring strains carry high re-injury risk — often 20-30% in professional sports — if athletes return prematurely, particularly in a high-usage player like Doncic who relies on explosive first steps and deceleration.

Doncic rejoined the team in Los Angeles ahead of the playoffs but has not traveled with the squad for road games against Houston. His presence on the bench has provided intangible leadership, yet the Lakers have leaned heavily on LeBron James, Austin Reaves (also recovering from an oblique strain) and supporting cast members.

Expectations point to Doncic missing the entire first-round series. Even if the Lakers advance, multiple reports indicate he is unlikely to be available for the start of the Western Conference semifinals, with a more realistic target around Games 3 or 4 of a potential second-round matchup. Six weeks from the April 2 injury date would land in mid-May.

The injury occurred at a critical juncture. Doncic had been playing at an MVP-caliber level, powering the Lakers to a strong late-season surge. His absence has reshaped playoff dynamics in the Western Conference, forcing Los Angeles to adapt without its primary playmaker and leading scorer.

Team officials and medical experts weigh the long-term risks against short-term playoff ambitions. Rushing a return could jeopardize Doncic’s availability for future seasons or lead to chronic issues. Hamstring injuries have historically sidelined stars for extended periods, with re-aggravation often extending timelines significantly.

Doncic’s work ethic and competitive drive have been highlighted throughout the process. Sources describe him attacking rehab aggressively while remaining in good spirits. His agent, Bill Duffy, confirmed the European trip was a collaborative decision involving Lakers doctors and independent specialists.

Broader implications extend to the Lakers’ roster construction and future planning. The team traded for Doncic earlier in the season in a blockbuster move, banking on his superstar talent to elevate the franchise. His prolonged absence tests depth and underscores the fragility of championship contention when key pieces go down.

Fans and analysts track every update closely. Social media buzzes with speculation about potential return dates, fueled by optimistic interpretations of practice footage and vague coaching comments. Yet insiders maintain patience is essential.

For a 27-year-old in his prime, full recovery remains highly probable with proper management. Modern sports medicine, including the biologics Doncic received, has improved outcomes for soft-tissue injuries. Strength and conditioning programs tailored to basketball movements will play a pivotal role in the final rehab stages.

As the Lakers navigate the playoffs without their All-NBA talent, focus shifts to collective resilience. James has shouldered a heavier load, while younger players step into expanded roles. A deep run without Doncic would be impressive; his eventual return could provide a massive boost for later rounds.

Looking ahead, the Lakers’ medical staff will continue daily assessments. Progression to non-contact 3-on-3 or 5-on-5 work will signal the next major milestone. Only after clearing sport-specific testing, including sprint times and change-of-direction drills, will Doncic receive medical clearance.

The organization emphasizes a conservative approach. “We’re going to do what’s best for Luka long-term,” Redick has reiterated in various forms. That philosophy prioritizes sustainable health over rushed availability.

Doncic’s injury serves as a reminder of basketball’s physical demands. Even superstars face setbacks, and recovery protocols balance science, patience and individual response. For now, the focus remains on incremental gains — more fluid movement, greater confidence in the hamstring and steady buildup toward basketball activities.

Whether Doncic returns this postseason or begins the 2026-27 season fully healthy, his current protocol reflects best practices in elite athlete care. The basketball world watches, hoping the star’s dedication yields a strong comeback when the moment is right.

President Trump announced Thursday he was removing tariffs on Scotch whisky after a four-day British royal state visit to the United States, crediting King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

As he often does, Trump announced the move on Truth Social.

“The King and Queen got me to do something that nobody else was able to do, without hardly even asking!” he wrote. “In Honor of the King and Queen of the United Kingdom, who have just left the White House, soon headed back to their wonderful Country, I will be removing the Tariffs and Restrictions on Whisky.”

FEDERAL RESERVE LEAVES INTEREST RATES UNCHANGED AS POWELL’S CHAIRMANSHIP NEARS END

Queen Camilla, King Charles III, U.S. President Donald Trump, and first lady Melania Trump pose during a state arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House on April 28, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images / Getty Images)

The removal affects restrictions “on Whiskey having to do with Scotland’s ability to work with the Commonwealth of Kentucky on Whisky and Bourbon, two very important industries within Scotland and Kentucky,” he added.

Trump said people have been asking for the change. However, his announcement was unclear as to whether the tariff removal applied to bottles of Scotch or on the materials used to produce alcohol in both the United States and Scotland.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House for comment.

In 2025, the U.S. and the United Kingdom signed a deal allowing Washington to impose a 10% baseline tariff on imports of most British goods, part of an effort by Trump to correct what he perceived as long-standing trade imbalances.

AIR CANADA SCRAPS KEY US ROUTES AS FUEL COSTS SURGE AMID IRAN CONFLICT

Jameson and Powers whisky for sale at a supermarket as a new minimum price increase for alcohol is implemented in Galway, Ireland, Jan. 4, 2022. (Clodagh Kilcoyne/File Photo / Reuters)

While speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said the tariffs were lifted to enhance the trade of barrels between Scotland and Kentucky, which produces almost all the world’s bourbon. The barrels are used to age the alcohol, The Associated Press reported.

John Swinney, Scotland’s first minister, praised the removal, calling it a “tremendous success” for his country. 

“People’s jobs were at stake. Millions of pounds were being lost every month from the Scottish economy,” he said.

Chris Swonger, the president and CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council, called Trump’s announcement a “major victory” for American hospitality businesses that are deeply impacted by international trade.

“The United States and the United Kingdom share a deep and enduring spirits tradition built on generations of craftsmanship, agriculture and market access,” he said in a statement. “We applaud President Trump for working to restore a proven zero-for-zero model of fair, reciprocal trade between our two nations.”

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Swonger said the move “strengthens transatlantic ties” and brings “much-needed certainty to our industry,” allowing spirits producers on both sides of the Atlantic to grow, invest and support jobs at a critical time.

Traders are gearing up for Wall Street’s “Super Bowl” Wednesday when tech giants Alphabet, Amazon, Meta and Microsoft will all share their latest quarterly results. Investors will have one eye on revenue growth and the other on the firms’ capital expenditures–the price tag for the firms’ massive artificial intelligence buildouts.

“Investors do not want capex getting revised higher, “ said Jed Ellerbroek, a portfolio manager at Argent Capital Management.

Choosing the right business law firm is one of the more important decisions you will make as an SME owner. It shapes how you handle risk, manage transactions, and deal with issues as they come up.

If you want a clear way to assess your options, focus on five things:

• Breadth of legal services under one roof
• Commercial understanding, not just legal knowledge
• Transparent and predictable fees
• Relevant transaction and sector experience
• Easy access to consistent, experienced advisers

Get these right, and everything else tends to follow.

Does the Firm Cover All the Legal Areas Your Business Needs?

Most SMEs do not deal with legal issues in isolation. Employment, contracts, property, and corporate work often overlap, sometimes within the same transaction. If your firm only covers part of that, you end up managing multiple advisers. That usually means higher costs, slower progress, and more chances for gaps.

Rubric Law provides legal services across corporate, employment, commercial, and dispute resolution, giving SMEs a single, consistent point of contact as different issues arise. This matters most when legal areas connect.

An acquisition with TUPE implications, or a business sale linked to a property transaction, needs joined-up advice. If teams are not aligned, issues tend to surface later, when they are harder and more expensive to fix.

When comparing firms, ask which areas they handle in-house. If work is referred out, it adds time, cost, and another layer to manage.

Does the Firm Offer Commercial Insight?

Legal accuracy should be a given. What actually makes a difference is whether the firm can explain what that legal position means for your business.

Think about it this way. You are not just asking, “Is this clause enforceable?” You are really asking, “What does this mean for me, and what should I do next?”

A good adviser will talk in terms of risk, options, and likely outcomes. They will connect the legal detail to your commercial reality.

You can usually spot this early. In initial conversations, pay attention to the questions they ask. A strong firm will want to understand:

• Your business model
• Your objectives
• Your appetite for risk

If they skip that and go straight into technical explanation, that is often how they will approach the rest of the work.

Fixed Fee vs Hourly Billing Structure

Fees are where a lot of SME frustration comes from, usually because of uncertainty rather than the cost itself.

The billing model makes a big difference to how well you can plan:

Fixed fees work well when the scope is clear, things like shareholder agreements, employment contracts, or standard conveyancing.

Hourly billing tends to fit situations where the scope is less predictable, such as disputes or more complex transactions.

Some firms default to hourly billing for everything. That can make routine work more expensive than it needs to be, and it makes budgeting harder than it should be.

It is worth asking a few direct questions upfront:

• Which services are offered on a fixed fee basis?
• Which are billed hourly?
• Can you provide typical cost ranges for the work I am likely to need?

Clarity here saves a lot of friction later.

Does Their Transaction Experience Match Your Sector?

Not all corporate experience is equal. There is a difference between general corporate advice and hands-on transaction experience.

For example, a management buy-out involves specific deal structures and negotiation points. A share sale requires careful handling of disclosures, warranties, and completion processes. These are not things you want a firm learning as they go.

Sector experience matters just as much. If your business operates in a regulated space like healthcare, financial services, or food production, there are compliance requirements that directly affect how deals are structured.

A firm without that background may still get there, but it often takes longer and carries more risk.

Ask for specific examples of completed transactions in your sector and deal size. General statements about experience are less useful than real, recent examples.

Accessibility and Relationship Continuity

Good legal advice is only helpful if you can get it when you need it. There will be moments where something urgent comes up, a contract issue, an employee problem, or a decision that cannot wait. In those situations, slow responses are more than frustrating; they can affect outcomes.

Different firms handle this in different ways. Larger firms may introduce you to a senior partner, then pass the day-to-day work to junior team members. Smaller firms may offer a more personal service but struggle with capacity on more complex matters.

What most SMEs need is consistency. You want to know who you are dealing with, and you want that person to stay involved.

Before you instruct a firm, ask:

• Who will handle my work day to day?
• Will that person stay involved throughout?
• What are your typical response times?

It sounds basic, but it makes a real difference once work starts.

Checklist, Questions to Ask Before Instructing a Business Law Firm

If you are comparing a few firms, these questions help you cut through the surface-level differences:

• Which practice areas do you handle in-house, and which do you refer out?
• Can you provide examples of work completed in my sector?
• How do you structure fees for the type of work I need most?
• Who will manage my matter day to day?
• What are your standard response times?
• How do you explain legal risk in commercial terms?
• Have you advised businesses at my stage of growth or transaction size?

Get the Legal Support Your Business Needs

Choosing a business law firm is worth doing properly. When you take the time to assess service breadth, commercial understanding, fee clarity, experience, and accessibility, you reduce the risk of problems later.

If you are about to instruct a firm, use the checklist above and have those conversations early. It will give you a much clearer sense of whether they are the right fit for your business.

The 10-year yield traded at a high of 7.06% on the day, as crude oil prices were at its highest in four years. Yields opened at 7.04% and remained elevated around 7.06% for most of the session. They eased modestly after 3 pm as crude oil prices cooled, allowing yields to close lower at 7.01%.

Yields climbed following hawkish comments by the Federal Reserve.

“Bonds were already a pain point for traders, and oil above $120 per barrel is adding to it. Additionally, commentary from the Federal Reserve reinforces expectations of tighter global financial conditions,” said a bond trader from a primary dealership. Separately, money market rates shot up, with the weighted average call rate trading at 5.07% on Thursday versus 5.00% a week earlier. The firming up of yields comes amid shrinking surplus of banking liquidity.