Lakers Limp Toward Playoffs After Injuries to Doncic, Reaves

Doncic and Reaves both sidelined as Lakers face uncertain playoff push

Apr. 7, 2026 at 9:47am

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A cubist-style painting featuring overlapping geometric shapes and planes in shades of purple, blue, and gold, conceptually representing the fragmented state of the Lakers' playoff push due to key player injuries.Injuries to star players Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves leave the Lakers' playoff hopes in a fragmented state.Los Angeles Today

The Los Angeles Lakers' playoff hopes have taken a hit with the news that star player Luka Doncic and key role player Austin Reaves will both miss the remainder of the regular season due to injuries. Doncic's timeline for return is unclear, while Reaves, a former Cedar Ridge standout, is also sidelined.

Why it matters

The Lakers are already struggling to secure a playoff spot, and the loss of Doncic and Reaves is a major blow as they try to make a postseason push. Doncic is one of the NBA's premier players, while Reaves has emerged as an important complementary piece for the Lakers.

The details

Doncic's injury timeline is uncertain, with the Lakers only stating that he will be out for the rest of the regular season. Reaves, a second-year guard, will also miss the final games of the regular season due to his own injury. The Lakers are currently in 10th place in the Western Conference standings, fighting for a spot in the play-in tournament.

  • Luka Doncic will miss the remainder of the regular season due to his injury.
  • Austin Reaves will also miss the rest of the regular season with his own injury.

The players

Luka Doncic

A star player for the Los Angeles Lakers who is sidelined with an injury.

Austin Reaves

A key role player for the Los Angeles Lakers who is also out with an injury. Reaves is a former standout at Cedar Ridge High School.

Los Angeles Lakers

An NBA team currently fighting for a playoff spot in the Western Conference.

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The takeaway

The Lakers' playoff hopes have taken a major hit with the losses of Doncic and Reaves. The team will need to find a way to overcome these key injuries and secure a spot in the postseason, or risk missing out on the playoffs entirely.