Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes will miss the rest of the season after requiring a hamstring operation, with the injury setback leaving his team with more defensive problems ahead of a meeting with Real Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinals.
The Brazil international requires surgery after pulling up in the first half of Arsenal's 2-1 win over Fulham in the Premier League on Tuesday.
“Gabi will undergo a surgical repair procedure to his hamstring in the coming days, and immediately begin his recovery and rehabilitation program, with the aim to be ready for the start of next season,” the club said in a statement Thursday.
The first leg against Madrid is on Tuesday and Arsenal also has concerns about the availability of defenders Riccardo Calafiori, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Ben White. Right back Jurrien Timber also struggled against Fulham with an issue he picked up ahead of the game.
Arsenal has seen key players such as Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz ruled out for long periods this season.
Havertz is out for the remainder of season also due to a hamstring injury, while Saka returned to action Tuesday after more than four months out.
Arsenal is second in the Premier League, 12 points behind Liverpool with eight rounds left.
James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Arsenal's Gabriel, right, leaves the pitch after picking up an injury during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Fulham at Emirates stadium in London, Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (John Walton/PA via AP)
Arsenal's Gabriel receives medical treatment during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Fulham at Emirates stadium in London, Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Luka Doncic scored 30 points and the Los Angeles Lakers routed the league-leading Oklahoma City Thunder 126-99 on Sunday.
Austin Reaves scored 20 points and LeBron James added 19 points and seven assists for the Lakers, who have won four of five.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 26 points and Jalen Williams added 16 for the Thunder.
Oklahoma City remained two games ahead of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the race for the league's best record with five games to play. But instead of closing in on the top seed and homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs, the Thunder lost consecutive games for just the second time this season.
The teams will meet again Tuesday in Oklahoma City.
The Lakers led 42-32 after one quarter.
Doncic drove to the hoop before firing a two-handed pass behind his head to an open Gabe Vincent, who drained the 3-pointer to give the Lakers a 64-42 lead. The Lakers led 78-56 at halftime after making a franchise record 15 3-pointers in the first half. It was the most points Oklahoma City has given up in any half this season. Doncic led the way with 22 points and hit five 3-pointers, with most being well contested.
Doncic was fouled as he made a circus layup and the free throw pushed the Lakers’ lead to 93-67 in the third. The Lakers led 103-77 at the end of the period.
James' son, Bronny, hit a 3-pointer for the Lakers in the final minute to close out the scoring.
Lakers: Los Angeles showed the peak of its capability in perhaps the best piece of evidence that things are working with James and Doncic together.
Thunder: The Lakers' spectacular individual shotmaking rendered Oklahoma City’s team defensive strategy useless.
James got a steal and breakaway dunk in the fourth quarter to make it 107-83.
The Thunder scored fewer than 100 points for the first time since Nov. 15.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) looks to shoot over Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) looks for an outlet against Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James warms up before an NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, right, looks to score in front of Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso, center, and forward Chet Holmgren (7) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) looks to pass the ball away from Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, left, dribbles away from Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) looks to shoot over Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
