At the very least, both Luka Doncic (Grade 2 left hamstring strain) and Austin Reaves (Grade 2 left oblique injury) will be out to start the playoffs for the Los Angeles Lakers. While there is some slight hope that one or both could return during the first round matchup against the Houston Rockets, the rest of the team will have to hold down the fort and extend the series in order for either to have a chance at suiting up.
The exact timeline for either to return remains unclear, but with Doncic returning to the team after a stint in Spain for treatment on his hamstring, there was hope that an update on their status and potential return could soon be coming. Head coach JJ Redick, however, shot that down at practice on Tuesday.
“They’re out indefinitely,” Redick said. “I’m not going to have an update for you this week. They’re out indefinitely.”
The term indefinite is a vague one, of course, meaning the Lakers still are unsure when either will be able to get back on the court. Unfortunately for both, they are dealing with soft tissue injuries, which are difficult to place an exact timeline on, and run a high risk of re-injuring if rushed back too quickly.
This is the playoffs, however, so there is no doubt Doncic and Reaves are going to do whatever they can to return to the lineup. But there must still be caution displayed as they or the Lakers won’t want to risk a major injury that could potentially prevent them from being healthy next year.
With no clear return date, the Lakers will simply have to make due with the players they have available. LeBron James will obviously take on the primary creator role with Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard also contributing there. Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton will likely need to step up into larger offensive roles while the team as a whole will need to lock in on the defensive end as their ceiling offensively is much lower without Doncic and Reaves.
Perhaps the Lakers can extend this series with the Rockets to give their leading scorers a chance to come back, but the team can’t afford to think about that, and must simply focus on winning with who they have.
Lakers center Jaxson Hayes returns to practice, ready to go for Game 1
On the plus side, center Jaxson Hayes returned to practice for the Lakers after missing the final four games of the season with a left foot injury and he is ready to go for the upcoming postseason run.
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