Luka Doncic isn’t close to returning, per @mcten
“[Luka] Doncic really is not close I think is a fair way to put it. … JJ Redick made it very clear he was out there rebounding and passing to his teammates. He wasn’t out there practicing.”
Getty
Luka Doncic injury update
The Los Angeles Lakers opened their first-round playoff series with a 107-98 Game 1 win over the Houston Rockets, but the team’s injury situation remains a major storyline entering Tuesday night’s Game 2 at Crypto.com Arena.
Los Angeles won the opener without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, leaning on LeBron James, Luke Kennard, and Deandre Ayton for balanced production. James finished with 19 points and 13 assists as the Lakers took an early 1-0 series lead.
Even with momentum on their side, the Lakers are still waiting for updates on their backcourt stars. New reporting from ESPN’s Dave McMenamin has now lowered expectations for Doncic’s short-term return, while Reaves appears to be progressing faster in recovery.
GettyLos Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic
The biggest update ahead of Game 2 involves Doncic, who has been sidelined since April 2 with a Grade 2 hamstring strain suffered against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Speaking on NBA Today, ESPN reporter Dave McMenamin said a return does not appear close.
“[Luka] Doncic really is not close I think is a fair way to put it,” McMenamin said. “JJ Redick made it very clear he was out there rebounding and passing to his teammates. He wasn’t out there practicing.”
Luka Doncic isn’t close to returning, per @mcten
“[Luka] Doncic really is not close I think is a fair way to put it. … JJ Redick made it very clear he was out there rebounding and passing to his teammates. He wasn’t out there practicing.”
That assessment followed Monday’s practice session, where Doncic was present with teammates but only participated in light on-court activity. He joined Austin Reaves, Jake LaRavia, and Jarred Vanderbilt for simple shooting work, including free throws.
Shams Charania also reported that the Lakers are not expecting Doncic to return during the first round against Houston.
That means Los Angeles may need to advance to the second round before the star guard becomes a realistic option to play again this season.
Before the injury, Doncic had been one of the league’s top performers. He led the NBA in scoring during the regular season with 33.5 points per game while also averaging 8.3 assists and 7.7 rebounds.
Without him, the Lakers have shifted more responsibility to James as their primary creator.
GettyLos Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves
While the Doncic update was discouraging, the news on Reaves has been more positive.
Charania said Reaves is further along than Doncic in the rehab process after suffering a Grade 2 oblique strain in the same April 2 game. According to Charania, Reaves has already started one-on-one on-court work.
The next steps in his recovery are three-on-three and five-on-five sessions before he can return to game action.
Charania added that Reaves is tracking to return late in the first round or early in the second round if the Lakers advance.
That gives Los Angeles hope that one of its top scorers could be back sooner than expected.
Reaves was having the best season of his career before the injury, averaging 23.3 points, 5.5 assists, and 4.7 rebounds in 51 games. His ability to create offense and stretch the floor would provide a major boost in a playoff series.
Until then, the Lakers will continue relying on the formula that worked in Game 1.
Kennard scored a playoff career-high 27 points in the opener, while Ayton added 19 points and 11 rebounds. Marcus Smart and Rui Hachimura also finished in double figures.
James remains the centerpiece. At 41, he continues to carry a major workload while waiting for help to return.
Game 2 now becomes another test of depth and durability for Los Angeles. The Lakers have already shown they can win without Doncic and Reaves, but the latest update suggests they may need to keep doing so longer than initially hoped.
Debayan Biswas is a sports writer covering the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He focuses on breaking news, trades, and player stories. His work has been featured by Athlon Sports and Pro Football and Sports Network, with republication across platforms including Yahoo Sports and Yardbarker. More about Debayan Biswas
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