Luka Dončić enters the 2026-27 NBA season as the primary star for the Los Angeles Lakers. Meanwhile, LeBron James has joined the Philadelphia 76ers. Many fans hoped the partnership between Dončić and James would yield another championship for the Lakers, but this did not occur.
The previous year, Dončić believed the team had the potential to succeed. He attributed a crucial mistake to himself, impacting the Lakers’ prospects. On April 2, the Lakers held a 16-2 record, appearing nearly unbeatable. They were set against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the reigning NBA champions. Dončić had been performing at an MVP level, leading the team’s charge.
Luka Dončić controls the ball against the Atlanta Hawks during a game at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta on Nov. 8, 2025.
Unfortunately, the Thunder defeated the Lakers 139-96. During this game, Dončić felt a strain in his hamstring in the second quarter. Instead of resting, he played through the injury, worsening his condition. By the second half, he was visibly in pain and was sidelined with a Grade 2 hamstring strain. This injury kept him out of the remaining regular-season games and the entire postseason.
In an interview, Dončić acknowledged his stubbornness led to his decision to continue playing, expressing regret for not stopping earlier.
In James’s absence as the third offensive option, the Lakers faced the Houston Rockets in the playoffs without Dončić. James stepped up but couldn’t overcome the Thunder in the second round. Retrieval of the championship dream slipped, and speculations rose about what a healthy Dončić could have contributed against the Spurs in the Finals.
This moment marked a missed opportunity for the team and particularly for Dončić, who realized too late the consequences of his determination to keep playing despite the injury.