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In early April, with only five games remaining in the regular season, the Los Angeles Lakers announced that star point guard Luka Doncic would be out at least until the NBA playoffs.
Doncic’s setback was a grade 2 strain to his left hamstring, an MRI confirmed. The reigning NBA scoring champion suffered the injury during an April 2 game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Lakers also entered the playoffs without another key member of their defense, Austin Reaves.
The short-handed Lakers stunned the Houston Rockets in the opener of their Western Conference first-round series on Saturday. Ahead of Game 2 on Tuesday, the Lakers reportedly received a clearer update on the health of at least one of their injured stars.
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Lakers guard Austin Reaves brings the ball up court during the second half against the Washington Wizards in Los Angeles on March 30, 2026. (Ryan Sun/AP)
Reaves, who was diagnosed with an oblique strain, appears to be progressing toward a return later in the first-round series if it extends to six or seven games. If the Lakers advance early, they could be on track to return for the Western Conference semifinals.
According to ESPN, Reaves recently returned to the practice court for 1-on-1 drills. The 27-year-old will still need to progress to 2-on-3 and then 5-on-5 work before he can be cleared for playoff action, but he appears to be significantly more advanced than Doncic, who remains out indefinitely.
Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers controls the ball against the Orlando Magic in the first quarter at the Kia Center on March 21, 2026. (Nathan Ray Seebeck/Image Images)
Doncic is unlikely to play in the first round, regardless of the length of the series. ESPN footage showed him on the practice court Tuesday, although the six-time All-Star wasn’t doing high-intensity work.
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The Rockets, despite being heavily favored in the first round playoff series, also suffered key injuries. Kevin Durant missed the first game with a knee contusion. He was cleared to play the second game on Tuesday night.
Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. shoots the ball against Los Angeles Lakers players Luke Kennard, Jake LaRavia, Jaxson Hayes, Rui Hachimura and Marcus Smart during the second half of game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California on April 18, 2026. (Kirby Lee/Image Images)
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LeBron James scored 19 points, while Luke Kennard led Los Angeles with 27 in Saturday’s victory.
