EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Head coach JJ Redick opened the Los Angeles Lakers’ postseason workouts on Tuesday without injured guards Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, telling reporters the pair remain “out indefinitely” and offering no timetable for their return.
Reaves, recovering from a Grade 2 left oblique strain sustained on Apr. 2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, watched practice and later shot free throws in slide sandals. Sources previously told ESPN the rehab window for the third-year guard is four to six weeks.
Doncic, dealing with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, is still in Spain after receiving several injections, according to team sources. He is expected back in Los Angeles on Friday, one day before Game 1 of the first-round series against the Houston Rockets (Saturday, 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC).
LeBron James, fresh off Western Conference Player of the Week honors, will be available. Redick stressed, however, that the offensive plan will not rely solely on the 23-year veteran. “We have other options besides him facing a set defense every possession,” the coach said, noting the staff will vary its actions based on Houston’s lineups and coverages.
Weeklong schedule
After a Monday off, Redick outlined a structured buildup:
- Tuesday: practice focused exclusively on the Lakers
- Wednesday: introduction to Rockets personnel, including Kevin Durant (No. 5 on the NBA’s career scoring list), All-Star center Alperen Sengun and explosive wing Amen Thompson
- Thursday: full scouting session
- Friday: reinforcement of the scouting report
“Saturday, we’ll be good to go,” Redick said.
Emphasis on rebounding
The coach incorporated a box-out drill to address Houston’s strength on the glass; the Rockets led the league in total rebounds (48.1) and offensive boards (15.0) per game, while Los Angeles ranked 27th. “If we don’t take care of the ball and box out, we’re not going to win the series,” Redick warned.
Backup center Jaxson Hayes, back in practice after a four-game absence with a sore left foot, embraced the rebounding challenge. “I know I can impact the game with my energy—running, getting rebounds, boxing guys out,” he said, mentioning Rockets big man Clint Capela specifically.
Redick described the workout as more intense than last year’s pre-playoff sessions, noting players met internal targets for workload, acceleration and jumps. “The guys had a very business-like, focused approach,” he said.
The Lakers host the Rockets at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday night to open their best-of-seven matchup.
Source: ESPN
