Which injured Lakers star will return first?
reaves-ahead-of-doncic-in-lakers-injury-recovery
The Los Angeles Lakers appear closer to getting guard Austin Reaves back on the floor than fellow back-court star Luka Doncic, according to a report aired Monday on ESPN’s “NBA Today.”
Insider Shams Charania said team officials believe Reaves is “further along” in his rehabilitation from a left oblique muscle strain. The 26-year-old has begun one-on-one drills and is expected to progress to three-on-three and full five-on-five work next. When diagnosed in early April, Reaves was given a four-to-six-week timetable, positioning him for a possible late-series return against the Houston Rockets or early in a potential second-round matchup.
Doncic, sidelined by a left hamstring strain, remains out indefinitely. The four-time All-NBA guard recently spent a week in Europe for specialized treatment aimed at accelerating his recovery but is still behind Reaves in the rehab process. The Lakers do not anticipate Doncic playing in the current series.
Los Angeles opened its first-round series without either guard yet managed to take Game 1 at Crypto.com Arena. Head coach JJ Redick said maintaining control of the series would allow the club to keep both players sidelined until they are fully healthy.
Doncic rejoined the team before Game 1, a development Redick welcomed because of the leadership role the 26-year-old holds on and off the court.
Source: LakersNation.com
