Luka Doncic – Sporting Scroll

Can LA Lakers Beat Houston Rockets Without Luka Doncic In The Playoffs?

Bianca Richardson — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 13:24:06 +0000

The LA Lakers season has taken a sharp turn, with the team slipping from genuine title contenders to facing uncertainty about even getting past the first round of the playoffs. This downturn comes after injuries to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, both of whom were sidelined late in the regular season.

Recent reports suggest that neither player has a clear return date, leaving their availability up in the air. In a rare twist, both Doncic and Reaves picked up their injuries during the Lakers’ loss to Oklahoma City on April 2.

The duo has been crucial for the Lakers throughout the season, combining to average 56.8 points, 13.8 assists, and 12.4 rebounds per game. Doncic is expected to return to Los Angeles on Friday after traveling to Spain for treatment on his hamstring. Meanwhile, Reaves has remained in Los Angeles and was seen taking free throws with teammates following practice on Tuesday.

However, the nature of Reaves’ oblique strain could rule him out for the entire first-round series. The Lakers have yet to provide a concrete recovery timeline for either player, with such injuries typically requiring a month or more to fully heal.

“They’re out indefinitely”

JJ Redick on Luka and Reaves 💔💔 pic.twitter.com/ADgGxkYyl6

— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) April 14, 2026

Can the LA Lakers overcome the Rockets?

The LA Lakers are set to face the Houston Rockets in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday, April 18. While LeBron James remains capable of leading the team, the challenge becomes significantly tougher against a Rockets side led by Kevin Durant.

The Rockets finished the regular season fifth in the Eastern Conference, just behind the fourth-placed Lakers. Although the gap between the two teams was minimal, Los Angeles enters the series at a disadvantage due to the absence of Doncic and Reaves.

Even so, much will depend on how LeBron rises to the occasion without his two key teammates. If the LA Lakers manage to get past the Rockets and both Doncic and Reaves return in time for the second round, they could quickly re-emerge as strong contenders for the NBA Championship.

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How Long Will Luka Doncic Be Out For After Suffering Injury Against OKC?

Bianca Richardson — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 12:47:33 +0000

Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers had a night to forget after a heavy loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, going down 139-96 in a game that quickly got out of hand. But the scoreline wasn’t even the biggest concern by the end of the night. The real worry came when Doncic picked up a hamstring injury during the third quarter and was unable to continue.

What started as frustration over a one-sided defeat quickly turned into concern about the team’s future. Doncic did not return after the injury, and head coach JJ Redick later confirmed that he would undergo an MRI to determine the severity.

How serious could Luka Doncic’s injury be?

Early indications suggest the situation could be more than just a minor issue. Injury analyst Dr. Evan Jeffries shared that if it turns out to be a hamstring strain, Luka Doncic could be sidelined for several weeks. In more serious cases, that timeline could stretch close to six weeks, which would be a huge blow at this stage of the season. Even a mild strain would likely keep him out for at least a short period.

The play Luka got injured 🤕

Wishing him a speedy recovery 🙏 https://t.co/sdkGPZhQBV pic.twitter.com/Gx2K1sPLY9

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 3, 2026

There is also some debate around how the situation was handled during the game. Luka Doncic appeared uncomfortable early on but continued playing after being cleared. He has built a reputation for pushing through injuries, but this time it may have made things worse.

The timing only adds to the concern. The Lakers had been in excellent form, winning 16 of their last 18 games before this loss. They were one of the hottest teams in the league, although Oklahoma City has been just as impressive, continuing their own strong run with another dominant win.

Now, the focus shifts completely. Instead of momentum and playoff positioning, the Lakers are dealing with uncertainty around their biggest star. Their next game comes against the Dallas Mavericks, but all eyes will be on Dončić’s recovery rather than the result.

At this point, the defeat is already forgotten. Everything depends on the injury update and how long the Lakers might have to move forward without their main player.

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