The Los Angeles Lakers will remain without guards Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves when they meet the Houston Rockets in Game 2 on Tuesday, according to The Athletic’s Dan Woike.
Doncic continues to recover from a left hamstring strain, while Reaves is sidelined by a left oblique injury. Neither has appeared in the series so far, leaving Los Angeles without its starting backcourt for a second straight game.
Although he has yet to log a minute on the court, Doncic has been a constant presence on the sideline. Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times reported that the All-Star remained vocal throughout Game 1, offering encouragement and feedback to teammates.
“I think people don’t know how much impact Luka has, not only on the court, but off the court,” forward Rui Hachimura said. “We love him just being around.”
The Lakers have not provided a timetable for Doncic’s return.
Kennard’s hot hand lifts Game 1
Guard Luke Kennard paced Los Angeles in the series opener, answering head coach JJ Redick’s call for more three-point attempts. Redick told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin that he prefers Kennard taking “six or seven threes a game at 38 percent” over “three a game at 45 percent.”
Center Jaxson Hayes said Kennard’s outburst was no surprise, noting he has watched the sharpshooter light it up since their high-school days.
Expecting a tougher Rockets response
Redick anticipates a more urgent Houston effort in Game 2 and has lengthened film sessions while sharpening details in practice.
“Every day requires something different,” Redick told the Orange County Register’s Benjamin Royer. “Tomorrow is going to require an elevated sense of desperation on our part.”
Los Angeles took Game 1, but the team expects Tuesday’s matchup to be a stiffer challenge without its starting guards on the floor.
Source: Hoops Wire
