The Los Angeles Lakers have gotten by simply high quality with out their two main scorers.
Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves have missed the previous month of motion, but the Lakers are on the verge of taking down the Houston Rockets within the first spherical of the playoffs.
That may not be the case with the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, although. And although the Lakers received Reaves again for Recreation 5, which they misplaced, Doncic’s availability remains to be up within the air.
In line with ClutchPoints insider Brett Siegel, the Slovenian celebrity is predicted to overlook most — if not all — of the second-round matchup.
Luka Doncic might miss a lot of the second spherical
“Though it’s early, sources near the scenario stated the earliest Doncic might return in a collection towards the Thunder can be when play shifts to Los Angeles for Video games 3 and 4,” Siegel wrote. “However there isn’t any assure Doncic can be obtainable for both recreation, as his standing over the subsequent two weeks might be depending on how his physique heals and responds to remedy.”
Doncic will enter the fifth week of his restoration from a Grade 2 hamstring pressure. He traveled to Europe to get remedy, however there is not any approach to pace issues up.
Per Siegel, the Lakers will solely know extra about his potential return date as soon as they consider his progress over the subsequent ten days.
Then once more, with JJ Redick’s staff up 3-2 of their collection with the Rockets and Kevin Durant lacking Recreation 5, it is onerous to consider that collection will go on for for much longer.
The defending champions might be well-rested after sweeping the Phoenix Suns within the first spherical, and although the Lakers have been impressively good with out Reaves and Doncic, beating Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s staff with out their chief and finest participant might be an uphill battle.
