The Los Angeles Lakers are heading into the playoffs without their two biggest stars, and Stephen A. Smith is not holding back.
With Luka Dončić sidelined by a Grade 2 hamstring strain and Austin Reaves dealing with a Grade 2 oblique injury, the burden of carrying a 53-29 Lakers team into the first round against the Houston Rockets has fallen entirely on a 41-year-old LeBron James.
Stephen A. Smith Goes Ballistic On Lakers Duo Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves
Smith had plenty to say about that on First Take, and he directed much of his frustration squarely at Doncic and Reaves themselves.
“I’m sick and tired of watching this man at age 41 now in his 23rd year… If the man is known as spending $1.5 million on his body to keep healthy… Why the hell ain’t you doing it?… I mean, damn. Where’s your pride? Where’s your dignity?” Smith said.
Stephen A. Smith questions why a 41-year-old LeBron James is more healthy than Luka and Reaves:
“I’m sick and tired of watching this man at age 41 now in his 23rd year… If the man is known as spending $1.5 million on his body to keep healthy… Why the hell ain’t you doing it?…… pic.twitter.com/03vwz9K0i8
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) April 13, 2026
The ESPN personality made clear that his frustration stems not just from the injuries themselves, but from what he sees as a failure to match LeBron’s legendary commitment to physical maintenance.
James has long been known for his obsessive approach to body care, reportedly investing $1.5 million annually on recovery and fitness. Smith’s point was simple: if the 41-year-old superstar can still perform at an elite level in his 23rd season, there is no excuse for his younger co-stars to be breaking down at this stage.
Both injuries occurred in the same game on April 2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, a 139-96 blowout loss that sent shockwaves through the Lakers’ organization. Dončić suffered a hamstring strain first, then Reaves went down with an oblique injury just 24 hours later. The timing could not have been worse, coming just weeks before the playoffs tip off on April 18.
Dončić, who led the NBA in scoring this season with 33.5 points per game, 7.7 rebounds, and 8.3 assists, has since traveled to Spain to undergo injection treatments in hopes of speeding up his recovery.
His return for the first round is uncertain. Reaves, who was averaging a career-best 23.3 points per game, is expected to miss the entire first round, with the earliest possible return coming in the first week of May.
Smith did not sugarcoat the Lakers’ outlook, declaring the team would go home early without both players and giving them zero chance of advancing past the first round if neither returns.
James and a patchwork roster are all that stand between Los Angeles and a first-round exit, and Smith made clear he expects the worst unless something changes fast.
