The Los Angeles Lakers head into the Playoffs with a clear concern: the possible absence of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves at the start of their first-round series against the Houston Rockets. While the team has shown it can stay competitive with LeBron James leading the way, the reality is that their margin for success drops significantly without their main offensive creators.

Luka Doncic’s return

The Lakers closed the regular season with a 53-29 record, securing the fourth spot in the Western Conference. However, the physical concerns surrounding Doncic and Reaves have completely shifted the team’s outlook. In Doncic’s case, he’s dealing with a Grade 2 strain in his left hamstring, an injury that kept him out of the final games and now puts his availability for the start of the postseason in doubt.

That’s where expert insight comes in. Sports doctor Jesse Morse revealed that Doncic’s return is not as immediate as many expected. According to him, the player returned to Los Angeles after beginning treatment in Spain, but his recovery still needs more time than initially anticipated. “He realistically needs at least another 10 days,” he said, making it clear that rushing him back could carry serious risk.

The numbers support that concern. During Doncic’s absence this season, the Lakers posted a 10-8 record, averaging 114.4 points per game. With Doncic on the floor, that margin improves noticeably, confirming his direct impact on the team’s performance.

With the series against Houston about to begin, having Luka back as soon as possible would boost both the team’s morale and offense. The Lakers know they can compete, but they also understand their real chances in the West largely depend on having Luka Doncic fully healthy and in the “perfect” form he showed before the injury. Forcing his return could risk both his health and the rest of the Playoffs, so waiting may be the smarter move if they want him to truly change the course of the series.