Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic provided an update on his Grade 2 hamstring strain in his first media availability since suffering the injury April 2.
"I'm just doing everything I can. Every day I'm doing stuff I'm supposed to do, obviously recovery, now I'm working," Doncic told reporters Wednesday, including ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "The doctor said eight weeks at the beginning of the first MRI. So, I'm just going day by day, and I feel better every day."
Thursday's Game 2 between Los Angeles and the Oklahoma City Thunder will mark five weeks since Doncic sustained the injury. The Thunder won Game 1 on Tuesday.
The six-time All-Star has exhausted all options in an attempt to speed up his recovery, including reportedly traveling to Spain to receive injections for treatment.
Doncic says he's begun running but hasn't been cleared for full contact, according to The Athletic's Dan Woike.
While the Slovenian is hopeful to return during the second-round series, he doesn't want to risk re-aggravating the injury.
"It's a tough one for me because I came back from injuries before too soon, and it wasn't the best result," Doncic said, per team reporter Mike Trudell. "But like I say, this is the first time I have the hamstring injury. It's not the same like other injuries.
"You have to be very careful, and I'm doing everything to come back. All the recovery, the chamber, cold tub, everything I can to come back, but it's obviously very different than other injuries I had."
Doncic averaged a league-leading 33.5 points along with 8.3 assists, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.6 steals across 64 appearances in his first full season with the Lakers.
