The Los Angeles Lakers would have accepted humiliation at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder. But they saw something worse. Their dazzling star, Luka Doncic, gripped his left hamstring after trying to escape from a few Thunder defenders. Alone on one side of the floor, Doncic went to the ground, holding his head. He was absolutely gutted, and the Lakers went pale. The concerning part is the nature of the injury. He didn’t take a bump. He appeared to injure himself during a regular motion. The six-time All-Star was able to walk off without assistance. But his reaction suggested it’s a bigger issue than just a minor tweak.

Double-teamed by Thunder defenders, Doncic planted his left leg and instantly grabbed his hamstring. Overwhelmed by visible pain, he collapsed near the baseline. In sheer frustration, he yanked at his jersey, looking ready to tear it right off, before ultimately using the fabric to hide his devastated face while walking toward the tunnel. This one moment brings down a landslide of doubts and problems for JJ Redick and the Lakers.

There’s less than two weeks before the playoffs begin. The Purple and Gold finished March with an outstanding record. Nobody on the team would deny Doncic was the nucleus behind their brilliance. He scored 600 points in March, is currently leading the league in scoring, and has a three-game streak of 40+ points. He was the engine, the glue, and the hope. Now the Lakers are forced to deal with the worst outcome.

If Doncic’s injury is as serious as his frustrations suggest, this might be doomsday for the Lakers. It isn’t just about carrying their momentum. The Lakers’ domino fell into place because of Doncic’s exquisite play. The pieces aligned because he existed. Everything will have to change if the Lakers’ very heartbeat is taken away. This isn’t a new issue. He previously missed four games leading up to the All-Star break while rehabbing a left hamstring strain. Injuring the same leg again makes this setback far more alarming. Right now, it’s difficult to assess how bad the injury could be.

It’s concerning enough that the Purple and Gold probably won’t speak about the punishment they received from the Thunder. Every second is an anxious one. Is this the Lakers’ season done, or will Doncic rise again? Amid all the questions, the LA locker room appears tight-knit.

Austin Reaves defends Luka Doncic from nasty Thunder fans

Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic may joke about not being friends. However, on and off the court, they share a really close relationship. Unsurprisingly, Reaves was among the first Laker teammates to come to Doncic’s aid when he injured his hamstring. But in doing so, he also overheard some of the fans’ trash talk. While he lay on the floor distraught, one of the Thunder fans poked fun at his unwillingness to play defense. The Slovenian’s teammate wasn’t just going to stand there and listen to the criticism. He asked fans to show some heart while his teammate deals with what could be a serious injury.

“Shut the f*** up! He’s f****** hurt!” Austin Reaves told the fan. “F*** you. Have some respect”. The disrespect didn’t stop. However, Reaves standing up for his teammate showcased the Lakers’ increased togetherness, especially since March. While they suffered their worst defeat at the hands of the Thunder, the Lakers were among the best teams last month. They finished with a 15-2 record. Doncic was the catalyst behind their turnaround. He averaged 37.5 points, 8 rebounds, and 7.4 assists in 16 games. That’s the impact that catapulted him up the MVP ladder.

It’s also the savvy play that saw the Lakers become one of the most lethal teams last month. In one moment, Doncic and the Lakers’ season hang in limbo. Redick revealed Doncic will undergo an MRI tomorrow to determine the extent of the damage. If luck is on their side, it could be a minimal injury that requires a few days of rest. But the fact that he played through discomfort suggests there could be something more.