JJ Redick Gives Blunt Injury Update on Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves

The Los Angeles Lakers are dealing with some serious injury issues as they head into their first-round NBA playoff matchup against the Houston Rockets.

Both of the team’s top two scorers, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, are out indefinitely with injuries they sustained during a loss to the reigning-champion Oklahoma City Thunder on April 7.

Doncic is dealing with a Grade 2 hamstring strain, and Reaves is battling a Grade 2 oblique strain.

Both players are expected to miss at least the beginning of the Lakers’ first-round series against the Rockets, and both players have reported recovery timelines that could potentially extend into Round 2.

Lakers head coach JJ Redick gave a blunt response when asked about the status of Doncic and Reaves on Tuesday.

"They're out indefinitely. I'm not going to have an update for you this week. They're out indefinitely,” Redick said at practice.

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Doncic is expected to return to Los Angeles on Friday after seeking treatment for his hamstring injury in Spain. Grade 2 hamstring injuries typically come with a month-long recovery period.

Reaves’ Grade 2 oblique strain comes with a similar average recovery time of 4-6 weeks.

Doncic averaged a league-leading 33.5 points per game for the Lakers this season, shooting 47.6% from the field and 36.6% from behind the 3-point arc. He also chipped in with 8.3 assists and 7.7 rebounds per game as Los Angeles’ No. 1 option.

Reaves averaged a career-high 23.3 points per game, shooting 49% from the field and 36% from three. He also added 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game.

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With both of these stars out, LeBron James faces increased responsibility as the Lakers’ new primary option. The 41-year-old veteran delivered in the final week of the regular season, averaging 24 points, 9.7 assists and 6 rebounds per game - enough to earn him Western Conference Player of the Week honors.

The Lakers will face off against the Rockets in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday night.

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This story was originally published April 14, 2026 at 4:36 PM.