Luka Dončić did not play in the Los Angeles Lakers’ Game 1 win over the Houston Rockets on April 18 as he continues to battle a hamstring injury.
While Los Angeles holds a 1-0 lead in the series, the team received some troubling news regarding Dončić’s availability for the rest of the playoffs.
Lakers Superstar Luka Dončić Is Not Expected Back Anytime Soon
Dončić suffered a grade 2 hamstring strain on April 2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Lakers ruled him out for the remainder of the regular season, but more importantly, his playoff status remained uncertain. While his trip to Spain for alternative treatment generated some speculation that he might be able to return during the first round, ESPN’s Shams Charania is shooting down the possibility of Dončić making a surprise return.
“The sense around the Lakers is that Austin Reaves is actually the one that’s further along than Luka Dončić in their respective rehab processes,” Charania said.
“I am told Austin Reaves has started 1-on-1 on-court work… The Lakers are not expecting Luka Dončić to be back in this series. He is out indefinitely.”
Shams:
“The sense around the Lakers is that Austin Reaves is actually the one that’s further along than Luka Doncic in their respective rehab processes. I am told Austin Reaves has started 1 on 1 on court work. The Lakers are not expecting Luka Doncic to be back in this series.… pic.twitter.com/Yx4hrt8An8
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) April 21, 2026
Dončić was on an absolute tear before the injury. He scored at least 40 points in six of his last 10 games and reached the 30-point mark in 13 straight. The six-time All-Star led the league in scoring at 33.5 points per game while also averaging 8.3 assists, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game.
Despite leading in the series, the Lakers certainly miss Dončić’s production, particularly against a great Houston defense. The Rockets finished sixth in defensive rating (112.1) this season. When the game slows down in the playoffs, half-court execution becomes even more important, which is where Dončić thrives. Los Angeles is already missing another creator in Reaves, who continues to recover from an oblique injury.
@LakerTalks on X believes this news spells the end for the Lakers’ postseason hopes, as e predicts the team will have a quick playoff exit.
“Season over. Told y’all I didn’t like Lukas body language,” he wrote. “He wasn’t celebrating a playoff win. He knows we out.”
Season over.
Told y’all I didn’t like Lukas body language. He wasn’t celebrating a playoff win. He knows we out. https://t.co/BCWeMSDBYx
— LakerTalks (@LakerTalks) April 21, 2026
“Flew to Spain and the doctors said yeah that hamstring is cooked bro,” added one podcaster.
“both are out for the season idk why we keep having the same conversations,” one influencer chimed in.
Former NFL team doctor, David J. Chao, weighed in to add further credence to the narrative that Reaves may return before Dončić. He believes Kevin Durant will play in Game 2, but Dončić’s return is further down the line.
“I think Luka’s target is round 2. One game too early aggravated, and he’s out for the rest of the playoffs…” Dr. Chao explained. “I think the Lakers are going to need to try and get by Houston without Luka. Austin Reaves beats him back is our prediction.”
After missing Game 1 with a knee injury, Durant is a game-time decision for Game 2. The Rockets only scored 98 points on Saturday, shooting 37.6% from the field and 33.3% from 3-point range.
If Durant plays, all eyes will be on the future Hall of Famer to see if he can jumpstart Houston’s offense. In contrast, if the Lakers protect homecourt again, all the pressure will be on the Rockets as they’ll be down 0-2 as the series shifts to Houston.
