For the last couple of weeks, everyone has been wondering when Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves will be able to return to action for the Los Angeles Lakers — and if either of them will be able to return at all before the end of this year’s NBA playoffs.
Reaves, who suffered an oblique strain on April 2, was seen getting some shots up at practice last week. The timetable for his return is thought to be roughly four to six weeks, which means the earliest he can realistically return is late in the Lakers’ first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets.
Doncic, who is dealing with a Grade 2 hamstring strain he sustained on April 2, travelled to Spain to receive treatment. He returned to practice on Monday, albeit in a limited role.
Coach JJ Redick talked about what Doncic was able to do during practice and appreciated the small steps of progress being taken by his top two scoring options.
“It’s been really nice,” Redick said. “He definitely rebounded and passed on some shooting drills. … Having the group together two out of the last three days has been really nice.”
Generally, the timetable for recovery from a Grade 2 hamstring strain is three to six weeks. But it is the type of injury that must heal sufficiently to prevent any real chance of re-aggravating it, which could result in a more severe tear.
The Lakers took Game 1 on Saturday, 107-98. Game 2 will take place on Tuesday, and Game 3 won’t be until Friday. Game 6 and Game 7, if necessary, will occur on May 1 and May 3, respectively, and by then, just over four weeks will have passed since both Doncic and Reaves got hurt.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Luka Doncic returned to practice for the Lakers
Reporting by Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire / LeBron Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
