The Los Angeles Lakers are gearing up to host the Houston Rockets in the first round of the NBA Playoffs on Saturday, April 18. The Lakers managed to snag the No. 4 seed in the West to clinch home court advantage in the opening series, but they’ll likely have to take on Houston without two of their biggest contributors.
Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves have each been out since the Lakers’ 139-96 blowout loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 2, but there are new updates on the L.A. stars.
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News emerged, during a segment on ESPN’s NBA Today Monday, April 13, that Dončić is reportedly traveling back to the United States after undergoing “multiple” injections on his left hamstring over the last week in Spain to promote healing from his grade 2 strain and potentially expedite his return to the floor.
He is expected to rejoin the Lakers by Friday, April 17, though it remains unclear whether or not the treatment has sped up his recovery timeline from the standard 4-6 weeks.
Reaves, meanwhile, has been rehabbing his grade 2 left oblique muscle strain in Los Angeles and was also originally given a return window of 4-6 weeks.
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“Both of these guys going into the playoffs, there is an expectation that they will be sidelined an indefinite period of time, just how soon (remains to be seen),” ESPN’s Shams Charania said on-air. “They’re both trying to get back ASAP.”
If both original timelines hold up, Dončić and Reaves would be out through at least the first week of May. But while the Lakers aren’t expecting Reaves back against Houston, Dončić will reportedly be re-evaluated once he rejoins the team for a possible return in the first round.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Dončić carried a heavy workload throughout the season, often playing through physical challenges as the wear of the schedule accumulated.
Now sidelined for the remainder of the regular season, these images reflect moments when the strain of the year was visible as Dončić worked through injuries while leading his team.
Above, Luka Dončić of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on from the bench at the end of the third quarter against the Miami Heat at Kaseya Center on March 19, 2026, in Miami, Florida.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Dončić carried a heavy workload throughout the season, often playing through physical challenges as the wear of the schedule accumulated.
Now sidelined for the remainder of the regular season, these images reflect moments when the strain of the year was visible as Dončić worked through injuries while leading his team.
Above, Luka Dončić of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on from the bench at the end of the third quarter against the Miami Heat at Kaseya Center on March 19, 2026, in Miami, Florida.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat react after colliding during the third quarter at Kaseya Center on March 19, 2026 in Miami, Florida.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on January 06, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers grabs his face as Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets looks toward the referee during the first quarter at Ball Arena on March 5, 2026 in Denver, Colorado.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after a swipe to the face by Moritz Wagner #21 of the Orlando Magic during the first quarter of an NBA game at Crypto.com Arena on February 24, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers is fouled during the first quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on November 8, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots the ball over Trey Murphy III #25 of the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on January 06, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives against Max Christie #00 of the Dallas Mavericks during the first quarter at American Airlines Center on January 24, 2026 in Dallas, Texas.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers plays the ball against Baylor Scheirman #55 of the Boston Celtics during the second half of their game at Crypto.com Arena on February 22, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Hugo Gonzalez #28 of the Boston Celtics plays defense on Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of their game at Crypto.com Arena on February 22, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes to the basket past John Collins #20 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half of their game at Crypto.com Arena on February 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers, with his finger wrapped, is seated between Dalton Knecht #4 and Chris Manon #30 during the second half of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Crypto.com Arena on October 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball against Kyle Kuzma #18 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the first quarter at Fiserv Forum on November 15, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after a swipe to the face by Moritz Wagner #21 of the Orlando Magic during the first quarter of an NBA game at Crypto.com Arena on February 24, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket against Pelle Larsson #9 of the Miami Heat during the second quarter at Kaseya Center on March 19, 2026 in Miami, Florida.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Matas Buzelis #14 of the Chicago Bulls intercepts a pass meant for Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of a game at Crypto.com Arena on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers in action during the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on March 18, 2026 in Houston, Texas.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
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.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates with Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on March 18, 2026 in Houston, Texas.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers watches play against the Golden State Warriors in the first half at Crypto.com Arena on October 12, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a foul call during the second half of a game against the Chicago Bulls at Crypto.com Arena on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers on court against the Memphis Grizzlies at Crypto.com Arena on January 04, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers looking to shoot is guarded by De’anthony Melton #8 of the Golden State Warriors in the first half at Chase Center on February 28, 2026 in San Francisco, California.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Guard Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket past guard center Nikola Jokic #15 and forward Spencer Jones #21 of the Denver Nuggets during the first half of a game at Crypto.com Arena on March 14, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the second half of a game against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center on December 14, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Collin Sexton #8 of the Charlotte Hornets defends Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of the basketball game at Spectrum Center on November 10, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers during a free throw against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena on October 24, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after scoring a three-point basket during the second quarter of an 2025 Emirates NBA Cup game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on November 14, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives the ball against Jonathan Kuminga #1 of the Golden State Warriors in the first quarter of the game at Crypto.com Arena on October 21, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a referee on a Lakers foul during a 135-118 win over the LA Clippers at Crypto.com Arena on November 25, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots from the outside during the first half of a game against the Chicago Bulls at Crypto.com Arena on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to missing a 3-point basket during the first quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on February 01, 2026 in New York City.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after making a three-point shot during the second half of a game against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center on December 14, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a play during the first quarter against the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena on December 25, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers argues a call with referee Brent Barnaky #36 during the third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena on January 28, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Lakers 129-99.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers battles Mouhamed Gueye #18 of the Atlanta Hawks during the first quarter at State Farm Arena on November 8, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during a 133-121 Lakers win over the New Orleans Pelicans at Crypto.com Arena on November 30, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks the balll during the second half of the basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on November 10, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots a fade away jumper in front of Jeremy Sochan #10 of the San Antonio Spurs during a 118-116 Los Angeles Lakers win over the San Antonio Spurs at Crypto.com Arena on November 05, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images).
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Doncic # of the Los Angeles Lakers attempts a pass against Baylor Scheierman #55 of the Boston Celtics during the second half of their game at Crypto.com Arena on February 22, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the second half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center on February 26, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Lakers 113-110.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts while being defended by Amen Thompson #1 of the Houston Rockets during the first quarter of the game at Toyota Center on March 16, 2026 in Houston, Texas.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to his basket during a 135-117 loss to the Charlotte Hornets at Crypto.com Arena on January 15, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots over Ace Bailey #19 of the Utah Jazz during the second half of a game at Delta Center on November 23, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after a play against the Denver Nuggets during the fourth quarter at Ball Arena on January 20, 2026 in Denver, Colorado.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates a shot during the second half of a game against the Utah Jazz at Delta Center on November 23, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates in front of Jamir Watkins #5 of the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on January 30, 2026 in Washington, DC.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates with teammates after making a three pointer in the fourth quarter of the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on March 18, 2026 in Houston, Texas.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers controls the ball against the Phoenix Suns during the first half of the NBA preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center on October 14, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots over Gary Payton II #0 of the Golden State Warriors in the first half at Chase Center on February 28, 2026 in San Francisco, California.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers guards Anthony Davis #3 of the Dallas Mavericks during the third quarter at Crypto.com Arena on November 28, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates a play during the second half of a game against the Utah Jazz at Delta Center on December 18, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after a basket during the second quarter against the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena on December 25, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers is trapped by Jonathan Kuminga #1 and Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors in the fourth quarter of the game at Crypto.com Arena on October 21, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots a winning jumpshot past Spencer Jones #21 of the Denver Nuggets during overtime of a game at Crypto.com Arena on March 14, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Denver Nuggets 127-125.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers defends Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the first quarter at Fiserv Forum on November 15, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a play during the first quarter against the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena on December 25, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
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Luka Dončić carries the physical toll of a demanding season
Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after scoring a three-pointer against the Miami Heat during the third quarter at Kaseya Center on March 19, 2026 in Miami, Florida. 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.
What is a Grade 2 hamstring strain?
A Grade 2 hamstring strain is a “moderate injury that is typically a partial tear in the muscle; patients are likely to limp when walking and will have occasional twinges of pain during activity,” according to Mercy Health.
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The injury could take close to a month to heal, but “returning to sports before the injury is fully healed can cause more severe injuries.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Luka Doncic injury update: Will Lakers star be back for NBA playoffs?
Read the full article here
