Luka Dončić says he 'definitely' regrets playing through hamstring injury that ended his season

Luka Dončić heads into the 2026-27 NBA season as the lone star in Los Angeles, as LeBron James starts a new chapter with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Before this dynamic duo parted ways, many believed the Lakers would be adding another Larry O’Brien Trophy to its storied trophy case, but that never came to fruition.

Dončić, though, believes last season it could’ve happened — if it weren’t for something he feels he’s at fault for.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE On April 2, the Lakers owned a 16-2 record in a stretch where they looked unstoppable.

They were facing the reigning NBA-champion Oklahoma City Thunder in a litmus test of sorts, especially for Dončić, who had been playing extremely well for the Lakers.

In fact, Dončić was playing for a potential MVP award.

However, the Thunder took the red-hot Lakers to the woodshed, defeating them 139-96.

But that wasn’t the only loss the Lakers would have on the night.

Dončić said he felt a hamstring tweak in the second quarter, but instead of taking himself out in a game that was getting out of hand, he pushed even harder.

The decision backfired.

In the second half, Dončić started to grab at his hamstring and was eventually taken out of the game.

The result for pushing? A Grade 2 hamstring strain that didn’t just force him to miss the final five games of the season — he missed the entire postseason for Los Angeles.

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DOWNLOAD HIS DAILY PODCAST NOW! "When it comes to my spirit of trying to win, I am just stubborn," Dončić told Sports Illustrated in an interview.