Doncic is expected to miss next playoff series amid slow recovery
· EurohoopsWhile the Los Angeles Lakers hold a 3-1 lead over the Houston Rockets, 27-year-old Luka Doncic remains sidelined with a hamstring strain and is expected to miss the entire next round
By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Los Angeles Lakers are on the verge of the second round in the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google, with a 3-1 lead over the Houston Rockets in the best-of-seven series of the opening round, but the status of their cornerstone remains shrouded in uncertainty. Despite the team’s momentum, the latest update on Luka Doncic suggests a difficult road ahead for the Slovenian superstar, who has been sidelined since early due to a left hamstring strain. While the Lakers prepare for a potential series-clinching Game 5 at crypto.com Arena, the timeline for their leading scorer appears to be stretching further into the postseason.
ESPN senior NBA insider Shams Charania provided a sobering outlook on the situation during an appearance on SportsCenter, detailing a recovery process that has yet to hit high gear. “It is a slow path on the recovery front for Luka. The expectation is if the Lakers are able to beat Houston and advance, Luka Doncic will be out for the next series. There’s still no timetable for him as of right now. He’s starting to do more court movement, as JJ Redick said the other day, but he is not at the point where he’s progressing in his own court workouts as far as one-on-ones and truly pushing it on a movement front,” he reported.
This lack of progression into one-on-one drills indicates that Doncic is still in the early phases of re-establishing his lateral explosiveness. The Ljubljana native, who even traveled to Spain for specialized treatment following the initial injury, has now been out of action for nearly a month. His absence leaves a significant void in the rotation, even as other pieces of the roster begin to stabilize.
The Lakers may see the return of Austin Reaves as early as Wednesday. The 27-year-old guard has missed nearly four weeks with a left oblique strain but took a significant step forward by transitioning from individual work to full group scrimmages. Addressing his status after Tuesday’s practice, he expressed a readiness to contribute if his body allows. “You have to be comfortable with your body, and what you can do, to go out there and help us be successful, and I want to get out there as fast as I can,” Reaves said. “I feel good. I’m trending in the right direction.”
Head coach JJ Redick has classified Reaves as a game-time decision for the upcoming matchup. As the series shifts back to Los Angeles, the Lakers are hopeful to close out the Rockets and avoid a return trip to Houston for a potential Game 6.
NBA Playoffs 2026
Eastern Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
1. Detroit Pistons – Orlando Magic 1-3 (101-112, 98-83, 105-113, 88-94)
2. Cleveland Cavaliers – Toronto Raptors 2-2 (126-113, 115-105, 104-126, 89-93)
3. New York Knicks – Atlanta Hawks 2-2 (113-102, 106-107, 108-109, 114-98)
4. Boston Celtics – Philadelphia 76ers 3-1 (123-91, 97-111, 108-100, 128-96)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
5. Winners 1-2
6. Winners 3-4
Finals (best-of-seven)
Winners of Semifinals
Western Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
1. Oklahoma City Thunder – Phoenix Suns 4-0 (119-84, 120-107, 121-109, 131-122)
2. Los Angeles Lakers – Houston Rockets 3-1 (107-98, 101-94, 112-108, 96-115)
3. Denver Nuggets – Minnesota Timberwolves 2-3 (126-115, 114-119, 96-113, 96-112, 125-113)
4. San Antonio Spurs – Portland Trail Blazers 3-1 (111-98, 103-106, 120-108, 114-93)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
5. Oklahoma City Thunder – Winner 2
6. Winners 3-4
Finals (best-of-seven)
Winners of Semifinals
NBA Finals 2026 (best-of-seven)
Eastern Conference and Western Conference champions