Los Angeles LakersguardLuka Doncic has been ruled outfor the final five games of the regular season.
The team announced that Doncic was diagnosed with aGrade 2 left hamstring strain, which he suffered on April 2 in the Lakers' blowout loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Doncic has missed 13 games this season. In missing the final games of the regular season, his total will reach 18. Based on NBA rules, a player becomes ineligible for awards if they are inactive for 18 or more games during the season. He needs to be credited for one more game as an active participant to meet the 65-game threshold.
Doncic's agent, Bill Duffy of WME Basketball, expects to appeal Doncic's total number of games missed.
"To ensure that Luka's incredible accomplishments this season are rightly honored and he can be considered for the league's end-of-season awards, we intend to apply for an 'Extraordinary Circumstances Challenge' to the 65-game rule,"Duffy said in a statementto ESPN.
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The six-time All-Star missed two games in December to be present for the birth of his child in Slovenia.
"His record-breaking season deserves to be noted in the history books, despite last night's unfortunate injury and other extraordinary circumstances," Duffy said. "We look forward to working with the NBAPA and the league office to ensure a fair outcome in this matter."
An arbitrator would rule on it after the regular season, according toESPN's Tim Bontemps.
Doncic has averaged a league-leading 33.5 points, 8.3 assists and 7.7 rebounds per game in 64 games played this season.
Luka Dončić carried a heavy workload throughout the season, often playing through physical challenges as the wear of the schedule accumulated.Now sidelined for the remainder of the regular season, these images reflect moments when the strain of the year was visible as Dončić worked through injuries while leading his team.
Above, Luka Dončić of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on from the bench at the end of the third quarter against the Miami Heat at Kaseya Center on March 19, 2026, in Miami, Florida." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Dončić carried a heavy workload throughout the season, often playing through physical challenges as the wear of the schedule accumulated.Now sidelined for the remainder of the regular season,these images reflect moments when the strain of the year was visible as Dončić worked through injuries while leading his team.Above, Luka Dončić of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on from the bench at the end of the third quarter against the Miami Heat at Kaseya Center on March 19, 2026, in Miami, Florida.
Which star NBA players are ineligible for awards?
Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Jimmy Butler, Golden State Warriors
Anthony Davis, Washington Wizards
Trae Young, Washington Wizards
Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
Josh Giddey, Chicago Bulls
Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz
Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies
Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings
Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic
Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Luka Doncic injury could cost him NBA awards. His agent plans to fight
