Without Luka Dončić, the Los Angeles Lakers are on the edge. The Slovenian star is officially out for Game 4 against the Oklahoma City Thunder - and the series in the second round of the playoffs is 3-0 for the Thunder. One game between the Lakers and the end of the season.

Dončić has not been seen on the court since 2 April, when he tore his hamstring. The diagnosis: a second-degree hamstring strain. He has already missed 10 playoff games, and 14 in total over the recent stretch. The Lakers in that period went 7-7, and now sit on the verge of a „sweep" - a 4-0 series.

Sports doctor Jesse Morse took the situation apart on X (formerly Twitter): „In my opinion, based on what we know, he should have been back a week or two ago if the treatment had been right."

Morse went further - he described the PRP treatment Dončić received as a „kids' dose" and „three out of ten in strength". In his view the injury called for a more aggressive regenerative approach, something the Lakers clearly did not do.

The medical team has not even cleared Dončić for „contact activities" in this playoff - meaning a return is not being considered. Another week or two is the most likely scenario, which means Dončić this season is not only not going to help the Lakers - he will not even be a witness to their end.

Game 4 is Monday night at the Crypto.com Arena. The Thunder are one game away from a historic „sweep". The Lakers have one game - and no star.