When Luka Doncic could return from injury for Lakers vs. Rockets originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Los Angeles Lakers are in a privileged position as their first-round playoff series with the Houston Rockets shifts from California to Texas on Friday night.
The Lakers have bolted out to a 2-0 series lead over the Rockets in this 4-5 matchup. Impressively, the Lakers have done so without injured guards Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
While Reaves is questionable to play in Game 3 as he nears a return from an oblique injury, Doncic remains unavailable as the Lakers aim to take a commanding 3-0 series lead over Kevin Durant and the Rockets on Friday.
Doncic has been out with a hamstring strain since April 2. ESPN's Shams Charania reported this week that the Lakers do not expect Doncic to return at any point in this first-round series, no matter how long it goes.
Updates on Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, per @ShamsCharania:- Lakers not expecting Doncic to return in Round 1- Reaves further along than Doncic in rehab process- Reaves has started 1-on-1 on-court work; needs to go through 3-on-3 and 5-on-5- Reaves tracking to return late…
Theoretically, the Lakers can wrap up the series with the Rockets on Sunday if they win the next two games at Toyota Center. That scenario would give Doncic more time to recover -- and depending on how long the other first-round series last, the NBA's leading scorer might be ready to play in Game 1 or Game 2 of the conference semifinals.
Irrespective, even though Doncic continues to practice in the background, there is no chance he plays in Houston on Friday, or on Sunday for Game 4. LeBron James and the Lakers already know if they are to advance to the second round, they will have to do it without any Luka Magic.
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