When the Los Angeles Lakers began their first-round series against the Houston Rockets, they did so without two of their stars in Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
JJ Redick stated that both Doncic and Reaves were out indefinitely without a timetable for a return, although they were doing everything they could to make it back as quickly as possible. And now, Shams Charania reported on ESPN’s NBA Today that Reaves is closer to returning than Doncic as he is making progress is his recovery from left oblique muscle strain:
“The sense around the Lakers is that Austin Reaves is actually the one that’s further along than Luka Doncic in their respective rehab processes. I am told Austin Reaves has started one-on-one on-court work. The next step for him is to continue to go through the progressions of three-on-three, five-on-five. Remember, early April here he had a four-to-six week timetable. So theoretically that puts him on track (to return) late in this series, potentially early in the next series. The Lakers are not expecting Luka Doncic to be back in this series, he is out indefinitely. But Austin Reaves is making some progress on the court.”
Doncic is dealing with a left hamstring strain and recently traveled to Europe to undergo a treatment that could expedite his return to play process. Despite that though, it seems that he is recovering at a slower pace than Reaves, who could return at some point during the Lakers’ first-round series.
In the absence of their two star guards, the Lakers were able to take care of business at home with a Game 1 win over the Rockets. As long as they continue to win and take control of the series, they will have the luxury of giving Reaves and Doncic as must rest as they need to get back to 100% health.
If the Lakers want to make a legitimate championship run then they need both Doncic and Reaves healthy, so there isn’t really a reason to rush them back and risk more serious injuries.
JJ Redick happy to have Luka Doncic back with Lakers
Doncic was in Europe for about a week to undergoing treatment before returning to L.A. before the Lakers’ Game 1 win. Now that he is back with the team, Redick is happy to have Doncic around.
Doncic is one of the Lakers’ leaders both on and off the floor, so having him around should benefit the team even if he can’t suit up.
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