Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick said on April 7 that both Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves will miss extended time due to injuries, casting doubt on the team’s chances in the upcoming playoffs. Doncic is sidelined with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, while Reaves has a Grade 2 left oblique muscle injury.
The absence of two key players comes as the Lakers approach the end of the regular season, raising concerns about their ability to advance in the postseason. Injuries have been a recurring issue for the team in recent years.
Redick faced criticism after allowing both players to return during a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder despite questions about their health status. Addressing these concerns, Redick said, “I’ve been in those situations a million times, and as a coach, you go on the information you have. [Doncic] was medically cleared. When Austin came back, I asked directly, ‘I thought he was hurt?’ [I was told], ‘No, he’s medically cleared.’”
He added that both players were eager to compete: “The group wanted to go for it in the second half. Talked about it at halftime. And for both those guys, the nature of playing heavy minutes [making them susceptible to injuries] … there was nothing leading into that game that would suggest either those guys were ‘running hot,’ as we call it.”
With less than a week remaining before playoffs begin, it appears unlikely that either Doncic or Reaves will be able to return in time. Redick said his focus now is keeping hopes alive: “It’s his and the Lakers job to extend the season so they can come back.” The team faces significant challenges ahead as they attempt to continue without two of their top contributors.
