On Friday, it was announced that Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic will be out indefinitely with a Grade 2 hamstring injury. It's widely expected that this injury will sideline him in the playoffs, especially considering the average time lost for this injury is just over a month.
Before discussing the basketball implications of the injury, I want to extend my best wishes for Luka to have a speedy recovery. Even if it's not a career-jeopardizing injury, it always stinks to see players battle with injuries, especially during such a crucial juncture of the season.
The reality is, though, that Luka's injury carries significant ramifications for the Minnesota Timberwolves. According to Basketball Reference, the Lakers have an 83.7 percent chance to finish as the No. 3 seed while the Wolves have a 72.3 percent chance to finish as the No. 6 seed.
Surprises can always happen, but with the regular season winding down, these two teams feel like they're on a collision course to face off in the playoffs. Needless to say, Doncic's injury makes a likely rematch with the Lakers significantly easier for the Wolves.
Luka's injury changes the dynamic of a possible Wolves-Lakers series
Beforehand, the Lakers looked like a slightly more favorable matchup for the Wolves compared to the Denver Nuggets.
Despite this and the Wolves thoroughly dismantling the Lakers in the last playoffs, a rematch looked like a true toss-up before Luka's injury news. This was especially the case given Jaden McDaniels' injury. Now, though, the Wolves would enter a possible rematch with the Lakers as heavy favorites.
The Lakers' subpar defense always made them vulnerable in the playoffs. At the same time, Luka's elite offensive abilities gave them some level of upside, and they have been on a roll after the All-Star break. To this end, the Lakers are 6.8 points per 100 possessions better with Luka on the court, according to Cleaning the Glass.
Furthermore, the Lakers have a ho-hum 7-6 record without Luka this season. Sure, they have LeBron James and Austin Reaves still, but the Lakers were already flawed with Luka, and they're now flat-out hopeless without him.
Anthony Edwards can tear the Lakers' defense to shreds, and they'll have no reasonable way to match his firepower. Plus, the Lakers are clearly the most advantageous matchup for Julius Randle, as we saw last year.
Nevertheless, the Wolves can't take any first-round opponent lightly, and they will have to take care of business if and when they play the Lakers.