Luka Doncic, Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers opened their 2026 first round playoff series with a 107-98 Game 1 victory over the Houston Rockets on Saturday. 

Focus now shifts to Game 2 in L.A.’s first two home court fixtures. 

They will remain without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves for Tuesday as the team assesses its best-case recovery outlook for its two missing scorers.

Both Doncic and Reaves have been out since April 2, after they suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain and a left oblique strain respectively. 

The recovery timeline was set to a minimum of four weeks, which meant they would typically be sidelined for the entire first-round series.

Yet, there is a slight chance that the Lakers’ favorable schedule may create a small window for an earlier return than projected.

Optimized Recovery Timelines for Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves

The spacing between the Lakers’ first-round game will give critical extra days for healing. With Game 2 set for Tuesday, three nights after Game 1 and subsequent contests will follow a standard playoff rhythm. They could potentially welcome one or both players back deeper in the series if progress continues.

GettyLos Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic

Doncic took extra measures to speed up his recovery. He travelled to Europe for a specialized medical procedure to heal his hamstring and, according to The California Post’s Khobi Price, it could add up well with a return before the conclusion of the series.

“Nonetheless, the schedule undoubtedly helps the Lakers…” Price wrote. The average recovery timeline would have Doncic miss the series entirely, even if it lasted seven games. But a combination of the Lakers’ first-round schedule and a sped-up recovery could see Doncic back on the floor in either Game 4 or 5.”

For Reaves, he faces a similar window for his oblique strain but if the series stretches, a return is possible. 

Added Price: “And with Reaves’ injury, which is expected to sideline him four to six weeks, about pain management in addition to recovery, a sped-up return in which he’s back on the floor in the earlier part of his recovery window could have him playing as soon as Game 5.

Both Doncic and Reaves’ injuries were a massive blow to the Lakers’ championship hopes. 

The Slovenian was having one of the best months in history with his March run and Reaves is enjoying a career-high year. Any chance they return earlier than expected, the Lakers will take it.  

Lakers Hold Serve in Game 1 Despite Absences

Without their two primary scorers for Game 1, the Lakers had to fall back on 41-year-old LeBron James, who delivered a double-double with 19 points and 13 assists. Luke Kennard scored a playoff career-high 27 points and went a perfect 5-of-5 beyond the arc. 

The win gave the Lakers a 1-0 lead, but attention now shifts to Game 2. The Lakers’ defense limited the Rockets to just 98 points, but it was a Houston side without leading scorer Kevin Durant. His status remains unknown for Tuesday, however, a return is on the table and it can swing the moment before the series heads back to Houston for Games 3 and 4.   

Which is why the return of Doncic and Reaves or at least one of them is crucial to the Lakers’ deep playoff hopes.