When is Luka Doncic returning? Playoff injury update for Lakers star

Editor's note: This story has been updated with new information.

Luka Doncic is still building towards a return, but it won't come in time for the start of the Western Conference semifinals.

The Los Angeles Lakers were without Doncic for the start of their second-round playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder in their Game 1 loss, 108-90, on Tuesday.

Doncic spoke during media availability following the Lakers' Wednesday practice, providing a status update on his hamstring injury he suffered April 2.

"I'm feeling good and working out every day, trying to come back," Doncic told reporters. "Right now, I'm running, but I haven't done any contact."

Doctors originally told Doncic that he should be expected to ready to play again in eight weeks from the original MRI test he received.

The Lakers allowed Doncic to get treatment overseas in Spain in hopes of speeding up the recovery time to get their leading scorer back on the court in the postseason. But the entire process has been hard for Doncic, who just wants to get out there with his teammates.

"It's very frustrating," Doncic said. "I hope people understand how frustrating it is. All I want to do is play basketball, especially at this time. It's the best time to play basketball, it's very frustrating. To see what my team is doing, I'm very proud of them but it's been very tough."

Doncic added: "I'm just doing everything I can. Every day, I'm doing stuff I'm supposed to do. My doctor said eight weeks at the beginning of the first MRI, so just going day-by-day. I feel better everyday."

Did Luka Doncic play Tuesday night vs. Thunder?

No, he was out for Game 1.

When is Luka Doncic returning?

The timeline for his return is also still unclear, according to ESPN.

Doncic was seen putting shots up during Lakers practice on Monday, May 4, but he has yet to progress to 3-on-3 or 5-on-5 drills. Lakers head coach JJ Redick had no update for reporters.

Doncic has missed 11 games since straining his left hamstring against Oklahoma City on April 2. The Lakers have gone 7-4 in that span and ran out to a 3-0 lead in the first round of the playoffs against the Houston Rockets before winning the series in six games.

The odds are stacked against Los Angeles yet again with a matchup against the defending NBA champion Thunder, who won a league-best 64 games in the regular season. The absence of Jalen Williams makes things slightly less lopsided, especially if the Lakers keep producing total team efforts with contributions from Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard, Deandre Ayton and Rui Hachimura.

Make no mistake, though: Doncic, who led the league in scoring with 33.5 points per game and finished third in assists with 8.3 per game, will be needed this series, as evidenced by the result of Game 1.

It just remains to be seen when – or if – he'll be back in time.