Lakers Coach Provides Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves Rehab Updates

JJ Redick shares positive news on the recovery progress of the injured Lakers stars.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 3:29pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a basketball game, with overlapping shapes and planes representing the dynamic action on the court.A cubist interpretation of the Lakers' battle against the Suns, with LeBron James leading the charge in the absence of his injured teammates.Los Angeles Today

Lakers assistant coach JJ Redick provided updates on the rehabilitation efforts of star players Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Redick said Doncic is in 'relatively good spirits' and is 'attacking his rehab', while Reaves' presence around the team has been beneficial during his initial recovery phase. The Lakers will be without their two key players as they face a crucial matchup against the Phoenix Suns, putting more pressure on LeBron James to carry the team.

Why it matters

The Lakers' playoff hopes hinge heavily on the return of Doncic and Reaves, who have been sidelined with injuries. Their absence has forced LeBron James to shoulder an even greater burden, raising concerns about his ability to maintain that level of production throughout the postseason. The updates from Redick provide a glimmer of hope for Lakers fans anxiously awaiting their stars' recoveries.

The details

In the Lakers' recent 119-103 victory over the Warriors, LeBron James stepped up with 26 points, 8 rebounds, and 11 assists, despite the extra workload. However, there was a brief scare when James appeared to hurt his right hand after chasing down and blocking a shot, hitting the backboard hard. James briefly left the court but returned, much to the relief of the Lakers' fanbase.

  • On April 9, 2026, JJ Redick spoke to Luka Doncic while he was in Spain.
  • The Lakers face the Phoenix Suns in their next game on April 10, 2026.

The players

Luka Doncic

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

Austin Reaves

A Lakers player who is also recovering from an injury and has been around the team during his rehab.

JJ Redick

An assistant coach for the Lakers who provided updates on Doncic and Reaves' recovery progress.

LeBron James

The Lakers' veteran leader who has had to shoulder an increased workload in the absence of Doncic and Reaves.

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What they’re saying

“JJ Redick says he spoke to Luka Doncic yesterday while he was in Spain and said Doncic is in 'relatively good spirits' and is attacking his rehab. He said that it has also been good for Austin Reaves to be around the team while he goes through his initial phase of rehab, too.”

— JJ Redick, Lakers Assistant Coach

What’s next

The Lakers will face the Phoenix Suns in their next game on April 10, 2026, without the services of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. LeBron James will need to continue carrying the team, and other players like Rui Hachimura will need to step up to support him.

The takeaway

The Lakers' playoff aspirations hinge heavily on the timely return of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, who are currently sidelined with injuries. While the updates from JJ Redick provide some optimism, the team's immediate challenge is to navigate a crucial matchup against the Phoenix Suns without their two key players, putting immense pressure on LeBron James to lead the way.