US EditionLakers injury updates: Reaves could return during first round; Dončić further off
- The Los Angeles Lakers opened the 2026 NBA Playoffs with a 107-98 victory over the Houston Rockets on Saturday, while Luka Doncic returned to the team after receiving treatment in Spain.
- Lakers coach JJ Redick confirmed that both Doncic and Austin Reaves remain out indefinitely, stating, "I'm not going to have an update for you this week."
- Despite being sidelined, Doncic provided encouragement from the bench during Game 1, and Rui Hachimura, who scored 14 points with two blocked shots in 42 minutes, said, "We love him just being around, just hanging out, talking."
- With Doncic officially listed as out for Game 2 on Tuesday, the Lakers are focused on replicating their strong defensive performance to avoid falling behind in the series.
- Preparation included two elevated practice days at Crypto.com Arena, where Redick emphasized, "Tomorrow is going to require an elevated sense of desperation on our part because they're going to come in with that.
22 Articles
22 Articles
Austin Reaves nearing return for Lakers as Luka Doncic remains out indefinitely with hamstring strain: report
In early April, with just five games remaining in the regular season, the Los Angeles Lakers announced that star guard Luka Doncic would be sidelined at least until the NBA playoffs.Doncic’s setback was a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, an MRI confirmed. The reigning NBA scoring champion sustained the injury during an April 2 game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Lakers also entered the playoffs without another key member of their backcourt…
Lakers Announce Starting Lineup Vs Rockets After Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves News
The Los Angeles Lakers are playing the Houston Rockets in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series on Tuesday, April 21, in a game that will not feature Luka Doncic or Austin Reaves.The two leading scorers for the Lakers remain out for Game 2, and while the team did offer new injury updates on both, it will once again be the LeBron James show for Los Angeles while they remain sidelined.Before Game 2, the Lakers announced their starting lineup …
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