With two games in the bag during the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers are still waiting patiently for the return of their sharpshooters, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
While they are recovering from setbacks, the veteran standout Marcus Smart recently dished some details on how they’ve been while inactive from basketball activity.
“They’ve been great,” Smart told EssentiallySports.
“They’re very encouraging. I’m looking at Luka and AR on the bench when I do something, or I see something and see what they see. Then I’m getting their input. Their spirits are high. They’re coaching us. They’re over there cheering us on. When you’ve got those guys doing that even though they’re out, it helps the spirits a lot.”
The Lakers Are Thriving
Without Doncic and Reaves, the Lakers are thriving.
Entering the first-round series against the Houston Rockets, the Lakers had very little support. Most predicted the Rockets to win with ease.
In Game 1, the Rockets shockingly lost Kevin Durant to a knee contusion hours before the game. As a result, the Lakers started the series off with a victory.
Durant made his way back out on the court for Game 2, and the results didn’t change. Another strong outing from the Lakers allowed LA to take an impressive 2-0 lead while missing their dynamic duo of scorers.
What’s The Latest On Doncic And Reaves?
Doncic is dealing with a hamstring injury. Reaves is out with an oblique-related setback. Neither of them has a timeline for a return in place, which leaves the Lakers’ roster a mystery moving forward.
The assumption is that Reaves is closer to returning than Doncic. One report this week suggested that Doncic could actually miss the entire first round against the Rockets even if it goes to seven games.
But nothing is set in stone as of now. For the time being, the Lakers are worried about the players who are suiting up on game night, leaving the injury stuff up to the medical team.
Meanwhile, Doncic and Reaves are remaining positive presences as they work on getting healthy and back out on the court.
Following a 101-94 win on Tuesday, the Lakers and the Rockets will be back on the court for Game 3 on Friday, April 24.