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JJ Redick, Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers are gearing up to play the Houston Rockets in the first round of the 2026 NBA playoffs. 

Of course, Lakers nation is an entirely bittersweet position.

L.A. secured a top four seed in the Western Conference and will host Game 1 of the first round in Crypto.com Arena. If only the team wasn’t missing its two best player

Bummer.

Los Angeles head coach JJ Redick continues to maintain that Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves — both of whom incurred same-day injuries earlier this month in a 43-point loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder — remain out indefinitely. 

Doncic has been across waters for the past week-plus to seek specialized treatment on his Grade 2 hamstring strain. The 27-year-old Lakers star is reportedly expected to rejoin the team later this week.

Meanwhile, Reaves has stayed with the Lakers so far throughout his rehab. Reaves is still in the early stages of recovering from a Grade 2 oblique strain.

While Reaves is expected to be out at least through the first round of the playoffs, there is rising hope that Doncic could return sometime in L.A.’s opening round series against Houston. 

As the franchise awaits for a definitive return timeline for each star, the good news is everyone else on the roster is healthy ahead of Saturday’s game.

Los Angeles Lakers See Positive Outcome at Tuesday’s Practice

The Lakers officially began preparing for the Rockets today. They’ll have four more days after today to get some solid work in.

While it is disappointing the team will be forced to do battle for a while without its top two scorers, there’s always a bright side. 

According to team insider Jovan Buha, the rest of the available Lakers were full participants in Tuesday’s practice, including LeBron James, who battled both foot and wrist injuries to close the regular season. 

“Everyone was available today aside from Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves,” Buha said on his YouTube channel. … Jaxson Hayes, after dealing with some foot soreness, returned. LeBron James was a full participant; no setback with anything with him.” 

The Lakers welcomed back Hayes to practice after the big man missed the final four games of the regular season. Marcus Smart was also a full-go today. The 32-year-old guard was limited over the final month of games due to an ankle injury.

L.A. Looking to Assemble Some Momentum Entering Saturday

At this point for the Lakers, it is all about playing the hand you’re dealt. 

L.A. would’ve certainly had much more than a fighting chance to beat the Rockets in the first round if the playing field were even, but that is outside of anyone’s control. 

As gametime moves closer, there is growing discussion concerning James’ approach to the playoffs and how the Lakers will choose to deploy him. Clearly, he is now his team’s best player and will be asked to carry the heaviest burden. Had this been several years earlier, perhaps Los Angeles wouldn’t feel as uncomfortable about its chances. 

Still, James has shown once again that age is just a number. In the few regular season games the Lakers played after Doncic and Reaves were sidelined indefinitely, James turned back the clock, averaging 28 points per game while shooting well north of 50% from the field and 40% from 3-point range. 

Hopefully for the Lakers’ sake, those were warm-up games for the real test. 

They’ll need every bit of vintage James in order to stand a chance in round one.