EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The Los Angeles Lakers will enter their opening playoff matchup against the Houston Rockets without their two highest-scoring players, as both Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves continue recovering from injuries sustained earlier this month.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick confirmed Tuesday following practice at the team’s training facility that both stars will miss the start of the first-round series. “They’re out indefinitely,” Redick stated. “I’m not going to have an update for you this week.”
Both players suffered their injuries during Los Angeles’ April 2 defeat against Oklahoma City. Doncic injured his hamstring while Reaves sustained an oblique strain, and neither was able to return for the remainder of the regular season. The Lakers will host Houston for Game 1 this Saturday evening.
Sources familiar with the situation tell The Associated Press that Doncic, who led the NBA in scoring this season, will return to Los Angeles on Friday after spending time in Spain for specialized hamstring treatment. The source requested anonymity as the team has not disclosed specifics about the star player’s rehabilitation process.
Reaves remains in Los Angeles and was observed taking free throw practice with teammates after Tuesday’s session concluded. Medical experts suggest his oblique injury could sideline him for the complete first-round series, as such injuries typically require at least a month for full recovery, though the Lakers have avoided setting any definitive recovery schedules.
The absence of both players represents a significant blow to Los Angeles’ championship aspirations, as the duo combined for 56.8 points, 13.8 assists, and 12.4 rebounds per game when available this season. However, the Lakers managed a 3-2 record during their absence, securing home-court advantage for the opening round as LeBron James stepped back into his primary offensive role.
The team has adjusted by utilizing Luke Kennard in ball-handling and playmaking duties, while guard Marcus Smart has returned after missing nearly three weeks with an ankle injury. Smart expressed confidence about matching Houston’s defensive intensity.
“They’re aggressive, and we’re going to try to use it against them,” Smart explained. “We’ve got some things put in, some different guys that are going to bring it up. They’re going to come out firing, and we’ve got to come out firing, too.”
Reserve center Jaxson Hayes is also expected to return after sitting out the final four regular season games to rest a foot injury. “I was going to play no matter what,” Hayes declared. “If I was hurting, I’d be playing.”
