The Los Angeles Lakers’ postseason aspirations took another massive hit this week. Following the confirmation of Luka Doncic’s season-ending hamstring injury, the team announced that Austin Reaves will also miss the final stretch of the regular season due to a Grade 2 oblique injury.
While he is officially out for the remaining regular-season games, his status for the postseason is precarious. “Austin Reaves is expected to miss four to six weeks with the Grade 2 oblique injury,” reported ESPN’s Shams Charania.
With the NBA Playoffs scheduled to tip off on April 18, a four-week recovery timeline would likely sideline Reaves for the entire First Round. If his recovery pushes toward the six-week mark, he could potentially miss the Conference Semifinals (slated for early May) as well, should the Lakers advance that far.
Devastating double blow for the Lakers
The news serves as a knockout punch for a Lakers team already reeling from the loss of league scoring leader Doncic. The Slovenian star suffered a left hamstring strain during the team’s demoralizing 139–96 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 2.
Luka Doncic reacts after getting injured vs OKC. (Getty Images)
With both co-stars sidelined, the burden once again falls on LeBron James. At 41 years old, The King will be tasked with carrying the offensive load through the final five games of the season and, potentially, an entire playoff series without his primary backcourt playmakers.
Lakers to test depth in final stretch
With Doncic, Reaves, and Marcus Smart all sidelined, Bronny James, Nick Smith Jr., and Kobe Bufkin have emerged as the primary guard options for head coach JJ Redick heading into the final week of the regular season.
LeBron is expected to shoulder the majority of the ball-handling duties, effectively operating as the team’s point guard. However, with the Lakers having already secured a spot in the postseason, the coaching staff is wary of overextending the veteran superstar.
Redick now has a five-game window to evaluate the team’s depth and determine which rotation players can be relied upon in Doncic’s and Reaves’ absences when the playoffs begin on April 18.
