when is luka coming back

Luka Dončić is currently out with a mild left hamstring strain and has been ruled out for the Lakers’ game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday, February 9, 2026.

Quick Scoop: When is Luka coming back?

Right now there is no firm return date , only a “day-to-day” label from the Lakers and head coach JJ Redick. That tag usually means the team thinks he’s close, but they don’t want to risk a setback by bringing him back too early from a soft-tissue injury like a hamstring strain.

What “day-to-day” really means

• The team evaluates him daily based on pain, strength, and how his hamstring responds to movement and light work.

• He will only be cleared once he can go through full practice without restrictions , including sprinting and change-of-direction work.

• Hamstring strains can get worse if you rush a return, so teams often sit a player an extra game or two even when they’re close.

In practice, that often translates to a return within about a week or so for a mild strain, but it can vary depending on how his leg responds and how cautious the Lakers choose to be.

What we know from the latest update

• Injury: Left hamstring strain , suffered vs. the Philadelphia 76ers on February 6, 2026.

• Current status: Listed as out for the Thunder game on February 9, which is his second straight missed game.

• Coach’s stance: JJ Redick has described him as day-to-day and emphasized not rushing his return.

• Evaluation plan: The Lakers will keep checking him after practices, and things like travel and back‑to‑backs will factor into when he finally suits up again.

Safe expectation (with a bit of speculation)

If the “mild” diagnosis holds and there are no setbacks, a reasonable guess is that Luka returns somewhere within the next few games after February 9 , but that is not guaranteed. The team’s priority will be having him healthy for the stretch run and potential playoff push rather than forcing an extra regular‑season appearance.

In forum-style terms:
“When is Luka coming back?” → Most likely soon , but officially it’s still day-to-day , and he’s definitely out for the Thunder game on Feb 9, 2026.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.