Luka Doncic addressed reporters after the Los Angeles Lakers’ season ended with a 115-110 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 4 on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena, a defeat that completed a second-round sweep and closed a year defined by injuries and late-season resilience.
Doncic, who missed the final stretch of the postseason due to a hamstring strain, spoke openly about the frustration of being sidelined as his team fought to extend its playoff run.
“I mean, yeah, it’s very frustrating. I know some people wanted me back. But obviously I wasn’t close to clearing,” he said. “There was some stuff in the media that went out that wasn’t true. Nobody of those people saw my MRIs, know nothing. So, it wasn’t really true. If I could be out there, I would be 100%. Everybody in that room knows that.”
He emphasized that recovery is still ongoing, with no full clearance for contact work as the offseason begins.
“Still not. I’m doing the lifting, I’m doing running and shooting, but I haven’t done contact and those stuff. I wasn’t clear yet. So, those stuff will come in the next week or two, probably.”
Looking ahead, Doncic explained that his immediate focus is not basketball speculation, but recovery and family time.
“I mean first of all want to spend time with my daughters and that’s probably the only thing that is on my mind right now. And second, obviously get the work in and come back ready for the season.”
Despite the disappointment of the finish, he reflected on his experience with the Lakers organization and the chemistry built throughout the year.
“I feel very comfortable. I like living here. I like playing for the Lakers. It’s one of the best organizations in the world. So just being a Laker, it means a lot to me and like I said I feel very good here. So there’s nothing else to add to that.”
He also pointed to the group’s late-season push, including a strong March stretch that helped define their identity.
“I think it was pretty amazing. I think the feel in the locker room was very good. I think every time we step on the court, everybody was fighting and most importantly everybody was having fun. So I think that run we made was pretty special.”
On roster construction and the offseason ahead, Doncic kept his answers measured as the Lakers prepare for potential changes.
“I think we had a great team. We had great chemistry and obviously playing with AR and Bron was unbelievable experience. They’re two great players and it was really fun to share court with.”
When asked about recruiting teammates or influencing roster decisions, he did not commit either way.
“We’ll see. Can’t tell you nothing.”
He also acknowledged the emotional weight of a season that saw multiple injuries and shifting availability across the roster.
“I feel like the last push we made in the end of regular season, we thought that we can compete for championship,” he said. “I think we had a great team. We had great chemistry.”
The Lakers finished the season with a 53-29 record and exited the playoffs after a hard-fought series against the Western Conference’s top seed, as Oklahoma City advanced to the conference finals behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 35-point performance in Game 4.
