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4w ago

Lakers Rule Out Austin Reaves and Luka Dončić for Remainder of Regular Season

Los Angeles must reshuffle roles to protect the No. 3 seed.

Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) heads down court after a three-point basket in the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Crypto.com Arena
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 02: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after a play during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Paycom Center on April 2, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
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Overview

  • Reaves, diagnosed Saturday with a Grade 2 left oblique strain, is expected to miss four to six weeks per ESPN’s Shams Charania and is out for the rest of the regular season.
  • Dončić, who sustained a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, was ruled out Friday for the remainder of the regular season, putting his availability for the playoff start in doubt.
  • Coach JJ Redick said an initial MRI on Reaves scanned the wrong area in Dallas, which forced a second test that confirmed the oblique injury.
  • Redick plans to expand the rotation and bring up G League guards Kobe Bufkin, Nick Smith Jr., and wing Dalton Knecht, with more offense flowing through LeBron James and help from Luke Kennard, Rui Hachimura, and Deandre Ayton.
  • The Lakers are 50-27 with five games left and a slim hold on the No. 3 seed, and they now lose nearly 57 points of nightly scoring and primary playmaking as first-round matchups take shape.