Lakers lose Austin Reaves, join Luka Doncic out
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- Austin Reaves was diagnosed with a Grade 2 left oblique muscle injury and is projected to miss four to six weeks, effectively ending his regular‑season participation.
- Luka Doncic also remains out with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, leaving the Lakers without their primary playmaker for the rest of the season.
- Coach JJ Redick said the team will still pursue a 3‑seed and a playoff series win, and intends to expand the rotation to eleven players, adding G‑League call‑ups Kobe Bufkin, Nick Smith Jr., and Dalton Knecht.
- LeBron James emphasized a “next‑man‑up” mindset, noting the need for tighter play and fewer mistakes with the loss of “special” players, while his recent stats show a dip to 15.6 points and 11.7 shot attempts per game.
- Dallas Mavericks were set to face the Lakers on Sunday, with Reaves listed as questionable and Marcus Smart missing his seventh straight game, while Jarred Vanderbilt was listed as questionable with calf soreness.
- DraftKings lengthened the Lakers’ odds to 120‑1 for the NBA Finals and 80‑1 for the Western Conference after the injury news, down from 30‑1 and 15‑1 before Doncic’s injury.
Why it matters: The Lakers’ playoff odds slip as they lose both Reaves and Doncic, diminishing scoring depth and forcing a broader rotation; meanwhile, the team’s standing remains just ahead of the Nuggets, Rockets and Timberwolves, making every remaining game critical and could affect their seeding.
