The Los Angeles Lakers open the 2026 NBA Playoffs on Saturday night against the Houston Rockets, but the series comes with an uphill battle for Los Angeles. The Lakers will have to navigate it without NBA scoring champion Luka Doncic, who is sidelined with an injury.
The injury occurred on April 2 in a regular-season loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Doncic exited the game in the third quarter in visible pain. An MRI the following day confirmed a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, which ruled him out for the rest of the regular season. Before going down, Doncic was playing some of the best basketball of his career, leading the league with 33.5 points per game while averaging 8.3 assists and 7.7 rebounds per game.
Head coach JJ Redick confirmed on April 14 that both Doncic and Reaves are out indefinitely, offering no timeline on their return.
“They’re out indefinitely,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “I’m not going to have an update for you this week.”
The team has said they have no expectation of either player being back at any point in the first round, though they have not completely ruled out the possibility if the series stretches to six or seven games.
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As the NBA Play‑In Tournament unfolds, every possession carries extra weight with postseason spots on the line.See the action and emotion from across the tournament as teams battle through high‑stakes games.Above, LaMelo Ball #1 celebrates with Coby White #3 of the Charlotte Hornets in overtime against the Miami Heat during their game at Spectrum Center on April 14, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
1 / 21NBA Play-In Tournament photos showcase final push to the postseasonAs the NBA Play‑In Tournament unfolds, every possession carries extra weight with postseason spots on the line.See the action and emotion from across the tournament as teams battle through high‑stakes games.Above, LaMelo Ball #1 celebrates with Coby White #3 of the Charlotte Hornets in overtime against the Miami Heat during their game at Spectrum Center on April 14, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
As the NBA Play‑In Tournament unfolds, every possession carries extra weight with postseason spots on the line.See the action and emotion from across the tournament as teams battle through high‑stakes games.Above, LaMelo Ball #1 celebrates with Coby White #3 of the Charlotte Hornets in overtime against the Miami Heat during their game at Spectrum Center on April 14, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Doncic is officially out for Game 1 (hamstring). Head coach JJ Redick addressed the injury earlier in the week but did not give too much information, merely stating on Doncic and Austin Reaves (oblique), "They’re out indefinitely,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “I’m not going to have an update for you this week.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Luka Doncic injury update: Will Lakers star play vs Rockets?