Concerns about Luka Doncic's playoff availability are growing after the Los Angeles Lakers star missed the entire 2026 postseason due to a left hamstring injury, leading to comparisons with Joel Embiid.

ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins sparked debate when he questioned whether Doncic can be relied on when the stakes are highest.

Doncic suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain on April 2, 2026, and was unable to return in time for the playoffs. His absence was a major blow for the Lakers, who still managed to push through the first round behind strong leadership from LeBron James. They defeated the Houston Rockets, showing resilience even without their star guard.

Lakers Swept Without Luka Doncic

However, things quickly changed in the Western Conference semifinals. Without Doncic, the Lakers struggled badly and were swept 0-4 by the Oklahoma City Thunder. The series loss intensified discussion around how much the team depends on his presence.

According to SportingNews, Perkins addressed the situation during an appearance on "First Take," drawing a direct comparison between Doncic and Embiid, who has also faced repeated injury setbacks in key playoff moments.

"Luka is starting to get in that territory of Joel Embiid. When you need him the most, and it comes postseason time, he's not available," Perkins said. He also pointed to a pattern of injuries affecting Doncic in recent seasons, especially soft tissue issues that tend to appear late in the year.

Lakers Concerned Over Luka Doncic's Injury

Perkins suggested that while Doncic is an elite talent, availability is becoming a serious concern for the Lakers moving forward.

For Los Angeles, the timing is especially frustrating. Doncic missed 15 important games during his recovery, leaving the team to adjust its lineup late in the season.

During that stretch, the Lakers went 7–8, showing inconsistency without their star playmaker, TPS reported.

While the comparison to Embiid is harsh, it reflects a growing NBA conversation: talent alone is not enough if a player cannot stay on the court during the playoffs.

Both Embiid and Doncic are considered franchise-level stars, but injuries have repeatedly limited their postseason impact.