Lakers 'elevate' work for playoffs with Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves injured
While the starting backcourt is trying to return during the first round of the playoffs, coach JJ Redick and team work hard to prepare for Rockets.
Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves high-five after Doncic made a three-pointer against the Nuggets this season. The injured Lakers guards are both hopeful of returning to the lineup during the first round of the playoffs against the Rockets. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) The elephant in the room for the Lakers as they enter the playoffs has been — and will continue to be — the status of their starting backcourt, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves .
They are both out because of injuries — Doncic with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain and Reaves with a Grade 2 left oblique muscle strain — and neither is expected to play in the Lakers’ first-round best-of-seven playoff series against the Houston Rockets that begins Saturday at 5:30 p. m. at Crypto.
com Arena. After practice Friday, Lakers coach JJ Redick was quick to say “there’s not” when asked about an update on Doncic and Reaves. From the time Doncic and Reaves were injured on April 2 at Oklahoma City, the Lakers said both would be out until the end of the regular season.
But according to people not authorized to speak on the matter, both are expected to be out four to six weeks. Doncic went to Spain to get treatment and Reaves has been working diligently in L. A.
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