Latest NBA buzz: What we know about Luka's hamstring injury
Why it matters: The Lakers' championship odds dropped from 30-1 to 100-1 due to Luka Doncic's season-ending injury.
- Luka Doncic will miss the remainder of the regular season with a Grade 2 right hamstring injury, making his playoff availability uncertain (ESPN's Shams Charania and Dave McMenamin).
- The Lakers' title chances plummeted from 30-1 to 100-1 on DraftKings Sportsbook immediately after Doncic's injury news.
- Doncic's agent, Bill Duffy, plans to apply for an "extraordinary circumstances challenge" to the 65-game rule for award consideration, as Doncic played 64 games.
- Zion Williamson secured 80% ($33.7 million) of his $42.2 million salary for 2026-27 by playing in 61 games, a key benchmark in his unique contract (Bobby Marks).
- Stephen Curry is expected to return for the Golden State Warriors on Sunday against the Houston Rockets after missing 27 games with a right knee injury.
- The 2026 NBA draft is widely considered deep and talented, leading to overt tanking efforts by the 10 teams already eliminated from playoff contention.
The NBA playoff picture is solidifying, but the Los Angeles Lakers face a major setback with Luka Doncic sidelined for the rest of the regular season due to a Grade 2 hamstring injury, significantly impacting their championship odds. Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors anticipate Stephen Curry's return, and Zion Williamson has met a key financial benchmark in his unusual contract, securing 80% of his 2026-27 salary.
