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The Lakers still have hope for the playoffs, even without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves for now
The Lakers will lean on LeBron James and role players after losing their top two scorers, with no timetable for Luka Doncic or Austin Reaves.
- The Lakers host the Houston Rockets in a first-round playoff opener Saturday night without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, sidelined indefinitely. Not even LeBron James seems likely to boost the Lakers' supporting cast over any of the Western Conference's other five elite teams.
- Los Angeles' playoff hopes collapsed in Oklahoma City earlier this month when Doncic suffered a strained hamstring and Reaves hurt his oblique, halting a surge that saw the team win 16 of 18 games.
- Luke Kennard leads reserves including Center Deandre Ayton and Rui Hachimura tasked with filling the offensive void, while Jake LaRavia and Even Bronny James anticipate increased playoff minutes.
- For playoff-tested veteran Marcus Smart, the Lakers' challenge comes down to one factor: "Willpower." Smart refuses to accept that their season ended in Oklahoma City.
- Coach JJ Redick noted the team has focused on practice execution to build different chemistry, adding, "We've been preparing really well." They seek to overcome their short-handed status against the Rockets' physical challenge.
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11 Articles
11 Articles
Coverage Details
Total News Sources11
Leaning Left6Leaning Right1Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution55% Left
Bias Distribution
- 55% of the sources lean Left
55% Left
L 55%
C 36%
Factuality
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