Lakers Practice Box‑Out Drill Ahead of Rockets Series
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- JJ Redick said on Tuesday there is no update on the return timelines for Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, both listed as out indefinitely.
- Austin Reaves was at the practice facility shooting free throws while wearing slide sandals, and his Grade 2 left oblique strain is expected to take four to six weeks to heal.
- Luka Doncic remains in Spain receiving multiple injections for his Grade 2 left hamstring strain and is slated to return to Los Angeles on Friday for Game 1 against the Houston Rockets.
- LeBron James will start for the Lakers, but Redick emphasized the team will use other options and varied actions beyond relying solely on him.
- The Lakers practiced a box‑out drill to improve rebounding, addressing their 27th‑ranked rebounding versus the Rockets’ league‑leading 48.1 total rebounds per game.
- Jaxson Hayes returned to practice after a sore left foot, noting the drill reminded him of his college days and his role in contesting the Rockets’ big men on the glass.
Why it matters: The Lakers’ focus on rebounding and diversified offense directly addresses their rebounding deficiency and the Rockets’ strength, while the indefinite absences of Doncic and Reaves force the team to rely on other players, shaping the tactical landscape of the opening series.
