Lakers star Luka Doncic has traveled to Spain to undergo advanced treatment for his Grade 2 hamstring strain, seeking regenerative therapies not readily available in the United States to potentially accelerate his return.
Luka Doncic, diagnosed with a Grade 2 hamstring strain last Thursday, is in Spain seeking treatment unavailable stateside. The injury, sustained against the Thunder, carries a recovery timeline of four to six weeks. His decision to leave the country underscores the urgency surrounding his return to the Lakers, who are also without Austin Reaves (4–6 week injury).
Doncic’s injury leaves a gaping hole for the Lakers, who went 15-2 in March with Doncic averaging 600 points. The Lakers lost to the Mavericks on Easter Sunday, 134-128, further highlighting Doncic’s importance. Head coach J.J. Redick told reporters that the goal is to extend the season so both Doncic and Reaves can return.
Regenerative Therapies in Question
The NBA's Collective Bargaining Agreement grants players and teams autonomy over treatment, provided no banned substances are involved. Doncic is pursuing options like platelet-rich plasma therapy, stem cells, and exosomes. These regenerative therapies are more readily available in Europe — specifically in Spain, Germany, and Switzerland — than in the U.S., where FDA approval processes can be slow.
Precedent for Overseas Treatment
Doncic isn't the first NBA star to seek treatment abroad. In 2011, Kobe Bryant went to Germany for platelet-rich plasma therapy on his knee, and later, for his Achilles. LeBron James consulted a specialist overseas in 2023 for a foot injury, avoiding surgery and leading the Lakers to the Western Conference Finals.
The Stakes for the Lakers
The Lakers may need to win a first-round playoff series against Minnesota or Houston without Doncic and Reaves. ESPN reported Doncic is undergoing an “injection procedure” in Spain to accelerate healing. Dr. Evan Jeffries, co-host of " The Hoops Rehab Show, " believes the injection is likely a combination of stem cells, platelet-rich plasma, or more advanced regenerative techniques. Jeffries told The California Post that stem cells can be more manipulated to increase their potency in Spain, and that Doncic could theoretically cut his timeline in half.
Inside Doncic's Treatment Plan
Jeffries also added that Doncic will likely undergo high-power laser therapy (HPLT), red-light therapy, pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF), SoftWave therapy, hyperbaric oxygen chamber, and cupping during his treatment in Spain. These modalities, while also available in the U.S., are part of a comprehensive approach to hamstring recovery. This aggressive treatment plan signals Doncic's determination to return to the court as quickly as possible. The Lakers are betting that access to a broader range of treatments, even those on the fringes of FDA approval, will get their star back in time for a playoff push.
Doncic’s decision to seek treatment in Spain is a significant gamble, reflecting the Lakers' precarious position and his own desire to accelerate his recovery. The success of this overseas treatment will be closely monitored, potentially influencing future rehabilitation strategies for NBA players.
