Slovenian media reports that Doncic has undergone two rounds of stem cell treatment and is about to return to the Lakers.

Today, local Slovenian media reported that Doncic's injury recovery process has made significant progress, and his return to the Lakers is getting closer.

According to reports, after suffering a hamstring injury, Doncic flew to Spain and began a special stem cell therapy under the strict supervision of Spanish doctor Javier Barria. This doctor previously worked for Doncic's former club, Real Madrid.

According to reliable sources, Doncic has completed the first round of treatment and immediately traveled to Slovenia afterward to visit his two daughters whom he hadn't seen for several months. Clearly, Doncic also received the Lakers' blessing; the Lakers certainly support every decision he makes, from his choice to undergo treatment in Madrid to his brief trip to Slovenia between the two rounds of therapy.

The Lakers recognize that the mental health of their star player is as important as his physical health. Obviously, reuniting with his children will recharge Doncic emotionally and have a positive impact on his mental state. After a short break in Slovenia, Luka will soon return to Madrid for a new round of treatment. Then, from the Spanish capital, he will fly to Los Angeles, and the Lakers expect him to return to the team next week.

Although Doncic will return to the Lakers next week, it will still take some time before he can play on the court. After undergoing two rounds of treatment in Spain, Doncic will accelerate this process, striving to catch up with the final stages of the Lakers' first playoff round.

Without Doncic and Reaves, the Lakers' heavy burden falls entirely on James.

Over the past three games, James averaged 28 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 12.7 assists, with a shooting percentage of 60% and a three-point percentage of 46.2%. This elite, dominant performance is comparable to any star in the league.

Before those injuries occurred, the Lakers' structure was different. Doncic handled the primary organization, Reaves served as the secondary scorer, and James adapted to his role. This season, James averaged 21.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game, with a shooting percentage of 51.7%, selectively initiating offense and managing his energy. But that version of the Lakers is temporarily gone.

Redick spoke about James after yesterday's game: "I mean, we need him to organize the offense, we need him to score, we need him to defend and rebound. I think he recognizes the task at hand and is very focused. He performed excellently in all three games."

Organizing the offense means running every play. In Redick's view, James must read the defense, create advantages, and generate shooting opportunities for his teammates. His recent average of 12.7 assists reflects this responsibility. Scoring means carrying the offensive burden. Without Doncic, there is no elite isolation creator around him. James must attack mismatches, control the tempo, and finish games.

The timing made the situation worse; James even canceled a planned golf activity after the injuries occurred, stating that the burden on his shoulders was too heavy.

At 41 years old, maintaining this level of performance throughout a playoff series is a significant challenge, especially considering the increasing minutes and workload he will bear. Nevertheless, James's recent performance shows that he is prepared to take on this task even as physical fatigue accumulates.

Currently, the Lakers rank fourth in the West, trailing only the third-place Nuggets by one win. If the Lakers win tomorrow and the Nuggets lose, they can secure the third spot in the West, thus facing the Timberwolves in the first round.

Regardless, without their top two scorers, the Lakers need James, Hayes, Ayton, Smart, and others to step up and fill the gaps. After two consecutive wins, they have shown their current competitiveness, but pulling the first-round series beyond five games would require a miracle.

At present, only time will tell how the Lakers will ultimately fare. Despite being fragmented and plagued by injuries, if they hold on and give players enough time to recover, there is still a path to glory this year. Facing a weaker opponent in the first round would help, which is why winning tomorrow is crucial for the team.

Tomorrow, teams will play their final regular-season game of the season. The Lakers' final ranking will be either third or fourth. If third, they face the Timberwolves. If fourth, they face the Rockets. Regardless of the opponent, we hope they can stage a miraculous comeback under James's leadership.