The Los Angeles Lakers will start their first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets on April 18 without two key backcourt players, as both Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves remain sidelined indefinitely.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Doncic, out since early April with a Grade 2 strain in his left hamstring, spent the past week in Spain receiving multiple injection treatments. He is expected to return to the United States on Tuesday for a medical re-evaluation. A Grade 2 hamstring injury normally requires four to six weeks of recovery, but the organization hopes Doncic could appear later in the series if his condition improves.
Reaves, who has also been unavailable since early April, is working on a longer timeline. According to Charania, the earliest projected return for the guard is the first week of May, keeping him out for at least the opening games against Houston.
With both players listed as out indefinitely, Los Angeles will rely on its remaining roster while holding home-court advantage in the best-of-seven matchup that begins Thursday at Crypto.com Arena.
Source: Hoops Wire
