LeBron James said on April 6 that he was shocked by the recent injuries to his Los Angeles Lakers teammates Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic, which have left him as the only remaining member of the team’s superstar trio.
The Lakers were preparing for a postseason run when news broke that Doncic suffered a Grade 2 left hamstring strain. Shortly after, Reaves was diagnosed with a Grade 2 left oblique injury. The team is now uncertain if either player will be able to return in time for the playoffs.
James described his reaction upon learning about Reaves’ MRI results: “I took my nap after practice, and I woke up with that news, it was like another shot to the [head],” James said. “It was a shot to the heart, obviously, and to the chest and to the mainframe with Luka. … But we kind of got that news kind of quick, and AR … we knew he was going to get an MRI, but I woke up from my nap yesterday and then saw that news, and I was like, ‘S—.’ That was literally my tone.”
James has played alongside Reaves for five years and has developed a close relationship with both injured players. There remains hope within the organization that both could return at some point during the postseason. In their absence, James is expected to take on a leading role as the team tries to remain competitive.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick commented on what lies ahead for his team: he said it is now their job “to extend the season in order to give them a chance to return this year.” The situation presents significant challenges for Los Angeles as they approach both the end of regular season play and potentially enter playoff competition without two key contributors.