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The Lakers know that advancing past the first round of the Western Conference playoffs against the Rockets would be significantly easier with Luka Doncic, but for now, they'll have to manage without the Slovenian point guard. The good news is that Austin Reaves now has a target date for his return to action.
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, Reaves, who is recovering from a Grade 2 oblique strain, has already begun individual on-court work. This development puts him on track for a potential return late in the first round of the playoffs or at the start of the Conference Semifinals, should the Californians still be in contention.
Despite the progress, Reaves will still need to participate in 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 drills before he can compete again. Even so, his recovery is more advanced than Doncic's, who remains sidelined indefinitely with a Grade 2 hamstring injury and is not expected to play throughout the entire first round.
These updates come a day after both players were seen at the Lakers' practice facility in El Segundo, the club's training grounds just outside LA, though neither engaged in any high-intensity work.
Lakers coach JJ Redick confirmed the news regarding Reaves, reiterating that the initial four-to-six-week recovery timeline remains. The coach also added that Doncic is expected to begin on-court work soon.
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