Luka Doncic remains out for Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals between the Lakers and Thunder, as Los Angeles continues to manage his left hamstring strain. The Lakers officially ruled him out for Monday’s matchup at Crypto.com Arena, leaving the team without its leading scorer in a must-stop spot against an Oklahoma City team that leads the best-of-seven series 3-0.
Doncic has not played since suffering a Grade 2 left hamstring strain on April 2. He said on May 6 that he had started running, but he still had not been cleared for full contact, which remains the key step before a possible return.
What Doncic said about his recovery
The Lakers star described his progress as gradual and day by day. “I’m just doing everything I can,” Doncic said in OKC, adding that he is following the recovery plan and feels better each day.
He also pointed to the initial medical timeline from his first MRI. “The doctor said eight weeks at the beginning of the first MRI,” Doncic said, underscoring how carefully the team appears to be handling the injury.
How the injury affects the series
Doncic’s absence has shaped the series from the start, and his status for Game 4 keeps the Lakers under pressure to avoid a sweep. Los Angeles has not yet broken through in the matchup, while Oklahoma City continued to control the pace with a 131-108 road win on Saturday.
The Thunder also listed Jalen Williams as out for Game 4 because of a Grade 1 left hamstring strain. Williams has not played in the series after injuring the hamstring on April 22, which means both teams enter the next game with major rotation gaps.
Game 4 details and betting outlook
Game 4 is set for Monday at 9:30 p.m. CT at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The matchup will again draw heavy attention because the Thunder can close out the series with another win, while the Lakers need a response without Doncic available.
BetMGM listed Oklahoma City as a 10.5-point favorite, with an over/under of 214.5 and the Thunder at -500 on the moneyline. One prediction in the preview called for an Oklahoma City victory, pointing to the team’s balance, strong bench production and the continued absence of Doncic as reasons the Thunder could finish the job.
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