Lakers Coach on Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves Return Timeline

The Los Angeles Lakers are facing a defining stretch of their season without two of their top offensive players, but coach JJ Redick made it clear the organization is focused on one goal: buying time.

With Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves both sidelined by injuries, Redick emphasized that the team’s immediate mission is to extend its season long enough to give both players a chance to return.

“Both those guys are going to try to come back,” Redick said, via ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, before the Lakers face the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday. “So it’s our job to extend the season so that they can come back.”

The message underscores both optimism and urgency for a Lakers team trying to hold its position in a tightly contested Western Conference playoff race.

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Injuries to Doncic, Reaves Shift Lakers’ Outlook

The Lakers are currently navigating the absence of their top two scoring options, a development that has significantly altered their late-season outlook.

Doncic, who had been averaging 33.5 points, 8.3 assists and 7.7 rebounds, was diagnosed with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain. The injury, which typically requires multiple weeks of recovery, is expected to sideline him through the remainder of the regular season, with no firm timetable for a return beyond that.

Reaves, meanwhile, suffered a Grade 2 left oblique strain after overextending while pursuing a rebound during a recent loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. He initially returned to finish the game, but further imaging — including a corrected MRI after an initial scan targeted the wrong area — confirmed the severity of the injury.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Reaves is expected to miss four to six weeks, putting his availability for the start of the playoffs in question.

Before going down, Reaves had been averaging 23.3 points, 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds, forming a high-usage backcourt tandem with Doncic that powered the Lakers’ recent surge.

Together, the duo accounted for 56.8 points per game, leaving a significant void in both scoring and playmaking.

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Lakers Turn to Collective Response

Without their primary creators, the Lakers will need to recalibrate quickly — starting with their next game.

“You got to flip the mindset a little bit,” LeBron James said. “I think it’s up to all of us, whoever is in the lineup, to pick up our play.”

That adjustment begins against the Mavericks, marking the Lakers’ first game without both Doncic and Reaves available.

James, who had shifted into more of a facilitating role during the team’s recent hot stretch, is expected to take on increased scoring and playmaking responsibilities. Over his last seven games, he averaged 15.6 points, 7.3 rebounds and 7.3 assists while attempting just 11.7 shots per game — well below his career average.

Now, the burden shifts back to the four-time MVP as the Lakers attempt to stay afloat.

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Playoff Push Now Carries Added Weight

Redick’s comments highlight the broader stakes facing the Lakers as they approach the postseason.

The goal is no longer just positioning — it is survival.

The Lakers currently hold a narrow lead for a top-three seed in the Western Conference, but several teams remain within striking distance. Any slip could alter their playoff path and potentially force them into a more difficult route.

Without Doncic and Reaves, the margin for error shrinks considerably.

The Lakers will rely on 41-year-old James and depth pieces such as Luke Kennard, Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton to help stabilize the rotation, but consistent execution will be critical.

Redick’s directive is clear: keep winning long enough to give the team’s stars a chance to return.

Alder Almo is a veteran NBA reporter for Heavy.com, covering the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors. He brings over 20 years of experience across local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Originally from the Philippines, he is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo