Luka Dončić’s playoff availability in question for Lakers as he returns from overseas treatment

The Los Angeles Lakers are heading into their first-round playoff matchup against the Houston Rockets with major uncertainty surrounding two key guards. Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves are both expected to miss time, leaving the team shorthanded as the postseason begins.

As the series approaches, the Lakers’ outlook will largely depend on Dončić’s recovery progress. His upcoming evaluation is expected to provide more clarity, but for now, his status for the start of the playoffs remains uncertain. Dončić has spent the past week in Spain receiving specialized treatment for a Grade 2 strain in his left hamstring. According to ESPN insider Shams Charania, “He spent the last week in Spain, from my understanding,” adding that Dončić “underwent multiple injection treatments in that hamstring to see if it could promote quick healing. Can it expedite a return?” He is set to return to the United States this week, where team doctors will reassess his condition before determining next steps.

While Dončić is expected to rejoin the team ahead of Game 1, scheduled for Saturday night, there is still no clear timeline for when he might return to game action. The injury, suffered on April 2, typically requires about a month of recovery, and the Lakers have already ruled him out for the remainder of the regular season.

Dončić’s absence is especially significant given his dominant season. The 27-year-old led the league in scoring with 33.5 points per game, while also contributing 8.3 assists and 7.7 rebounds. He shot efficiently from both the field and beyond the arc, reinforcing his role as the centerpiece of the Lakers’ offense.

Reaves is also sidelined indefinitely with a Grade 2 left oblique strain sustained in the same game, further complicating the Lakers’ rotation. Despite these setbacks, the team managed to finish the regular season strong, posting a 52-29 record and going 3-2 without both guards.

With their backcourt depleted, much of the offensive responsibility will fall on LeBron James. He stepped up late in the season, earning Western Conference Player of the Week honors after averaging 24.0 points, 9.7 assists, and 6.0 rebounds while helping guide the team to a winning finish.

During the regular season, Los Angeles won two of three meetings with Houston, with Dončić putting up standout numbers in those games. Without him and Reaves, however, the team faces a much tougher challenge against a Rockets squad entering the playoffs at full strength. Head coach JJ Redick noted that Dončić has remained mentally engaged despite being away from the team. “I’m not gonna share how long he’s going to be over there, but I think he’s in good spirits,” Redick said. “In my conversations with him, he’s motivated to do everything possible. I know for him, it’s hard for him not to be on a basketball court.”

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