The Los Angeles Lakers will open their 2026 NBA Playoffs first-round series against the Houston Rockets without two of their key offensive weapons: Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
Doncic remains in Europe continuing specialized treatment for his hamstring strain and has not yet returned to the team. Reaves, meanwhile, has stayed with the Lakers throughout his recovery from a Grade 2 left oblique strain suffered on April 2. While both players are officially listed as out indefinitely—with no re-evaluation expected for at least another week—the latest on-court developments surrounding Reaves offer a cautious dose of optimism for a Lakers squad desperate for reinforcements.
Positive Signs in Reaves’ Recovery
On April 4, Reaves was projected to miss four to six weeks after the oblique injury. That timeline would potentially align with a return in early May—if the series against the Rockets extends deep.
Encouragingly, Reaves has been a regular presence at the team’s practices leading into the series. In the past two days, he has been spotted shooting after sessions, including making free throws while wearing his basketball shoes—a notable step forward from earlier stages of his rehab.
ESPN’s Dave McMenamin captured the moment: “Austin Reaves is back in sneakers after practice (and making his free throws).” Though this does not guarantee an imminent return, it signals progress for the 27-year-old guard, who is participating in on-court work while the team remains in Los Angeles.
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Head coach JJ Redick has been measured, stating that both Reaves and Doncic remain sidelined indefinitely and that no updates are expected this week.
Reaves’ Career-Best Season
The Lakers are eager to welcome back Reaves because he delivered the finest season of his career in 2025-26. Across 51 games, he averaged 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.5 assists while shooting 49% from the field. His scoring, playmaking, and efficiency provided a vital complement to LeBron James and Luka Doncic, helping form one of the league’s more dynamic offensive units when healthy.
Losing Reaves (and Doncic) for the stretch run has forced the Lakers to lean heavily on LeBron and a patchwork supporting cast. Any sign of Reaves accelerating his recovery is therefore significant as Los Angeles prepares for a tough matchup.
Favorable Schedule Offers Extra Time
One piece of unambiguous good news for the Lakers is the structure of the first-round schedule against the Rockets. The NBA has released the full slate, which includes generous rest and off-days compared to many other series.
- Game 1: Saturday, April 18 – Houston at Los Angeles (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
- Game 2: Tuesday, April 21 – Houston at Los Angeles (10:30 p.m. ET, NBC)
- Game 3: Friday, April 24 – Los Angeles at Houston (8:00 p.m. ET)
- Game 4: Sunday, April 26 – Los Angeles at Houston (9:30 p.m. ET)
- Subsequent games (if necessary) would follow with additional built-in recovery windows.
If the series reaches Game 6 (projected around early May), it would fall roughly a month after Reaves’ original injury date—potentially syncing with the lower end of his four-to-six-week timeline. The extra days between games could prove critical for both injured players, giving the Lakers time to integrate them should they receive medical clearance.
The Bigger Picture for Lakers vs. Rockets
Without Doncic and Reaves at the start, the Lakers will rely on LeBron James’ veteran leadership and a deepened supporting rotation. The team has already added guard depth via recent signings to help weather the absences.
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Analytically, the Lakers have shown strong potential when their stars align. Lineups featuring Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and LeBron James posted an elite net rating in stretches this season (reaching as high as +17.5 in certain samples since January), highlighting the offensive firepower and chemistry the trio can generate. Houston, however, presents a young, athletic, and defensively stout challenge—making health and depth decisive factors.
For now, the Lakers’ focus remains on competing without their two key guards while monitoring every positive development in Reaves’ recovery. His return to sneakers and continued presence at practice represent the latest encouraging chapter in what has been an injury-disrupted close to the season.
The series begins Saturday night at Crypto.com Arena. While the Lakers enter shorthanded, the combination of Reaves’ visible progress and a schedule that allows breathing room keeps hope alive that reinforcements could arrive before this first-round battle is decided.