Doncic, Reaves injuries doom Lakers
The impact of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves injuries on the Lakers playoff chances.
In an alternate universe, the first round NBA playoff series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets would be a star-studded affair, pitting some of the best in the game in an all-out slugfest. In reality, it now looks more like a triage center with most of the stars sidelined with injuries.
Late-season dings to hamstrings, obliques, and knees mean the opening salvo out west will be without Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and the previously healthy Kevin Durant. That’s three stars watching Game 1 from the sidelines.
For the Lakers, that means being severely depleted in a series that now rests on the shoulders of the man who wears the crown. LeBron James (41) has been beating Father Time with Reaves and Doncic on the shelf, going 23 points and 9.2 assists over the last five games, helping the Lakers close out the season with three consecutive wins.
Here is what to know about the Lakers’ injuries as they enter the series vs Houston:
Luka Doncic injury update
The Lakers have a huge hole in the lineup without Doncic, losing the 33.5 points, 8.3 assists and 7.7 rebounds per game he was averaging.
Suffering a hamstring injury on April 2, the Lakers have merely stated that the star is out indefinitely, not committing to whether the 27-year-old might return later in the first round.
Austin Reaves injury update
Reaves was injured in the same April 2 blowout loss to the Thunder that Doncic was, suffering a Grade 2 left oblique muscle strain.
As noted above, Reaves shares the same outlook as his LA counterpart. He is out indefinitely and will not suit up for Game 1.
Kevin Durant injury update
The Rockets are not without their own maladies. Kevin Durant was banged up a bit in practice this week. Now, after he was listed as questionable, he’s been officially ruled out for Game 1 after sustaining a right knee contusion.
LeBron James stats
It goes without saying that the Lakers absolutely need James to play a significant amount for the series, but we will say it anyway.
Over the last four games, the team has gone 3-1 with its two stars out. In that time, James has averaged 26.8 points per game and the team enjoys a +/- of +20 when he is on the court. When he is off, that drops to -7.
Not many are giving the Lakers a shot this series. But whether the underdog is to pull off an upset will be determined by whether James can continue to conjure his vintage form.
This story has been updated with new information.
