The Los Angeles Lakers are preparing for their first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets, set to commence Saturday night. Crucially, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are confirmed to miss the start of the series due to injuries. Doncic is slated to return to Los Angeles on Friday, having undergone treatment in Spain for a hamstring issue. Reaves is also rehabilitating an injury and was observed shooting free throws post-practice, though his return for Game 1 is not anticipated.
Both Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are out indefinitely, a critical blow for the Lakers as they confront the Houston Rockets in their opening playoff matchup. Coach JJ Redick has stated there is no updated timeline for their return.
The team held its first playoff-focused practice on Tuesday. Redick described the session as more intense than last year's preparation for their first-round exit against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Despite the absence of their top two scorers, the Lakers plan to rely on LeBron James, who recently earned Western Conference Player of the Week honors, contributing to the team's 3-1 record to close out the regular season. However, Redick indicated the game plan will not be solely dependent on the veteran player.
Read More: San Diego Padres pitcher Nick Pivetta sidelined with elbow inflammation, Matt Waldron called up
Doncic’s injury is a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, for which he received multiple injections in Spain. Reaves is recovering from a grade 2 left oblique muscle strain, initially given a 4-6 week recovery window. The Lakers secured the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference, earning home-court advantage for the series against the Rockets. Some reports suggest a potential return for Doncic during the first round, with his status to be re-evaluated upon rejoining the team.
