Lakers Injury Report Clean Ahead of Clippers Matchup

Luka Doncic expected to return after missing four games with hamstring strain

Feb. 27, 2026 at 3:23pm

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The Los Angeles Lakers will have a clean injury report for their Friday matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers, meaning Luka Doncic is expected to return to action after missing the last four games with a hamstring strain. Austin Reaves will also no longer have a minutes restriction after returning from a calf injury.

Why it matters

The Lakers are in a tight race for playoff positioning in the Western Conference, so having a healthy roster will be crucial as they face two tough opponents in the Clippers and Celtics to start the final stretch of the regular season.

The details

The Lakers have been dealing with a string of injuries this season, including Reaves missing over a month with a gastrocnemius strain and Doncic sustaining a hamstring strain that caused him to miss the last four games. However, the team's injury report is now clear, and coach JJ Redick said Reaves will no longer have a minutes restriction.

  • The Lakers will face the Clippers on Friday, February 20, 2026.
  • The Lakers will then play the Celtics on Sunday, February 22, 2026.

The players

Luka Doncic

A star player for the Lakers who has been sidelined with a hamstring strain but is expected to return for the Clippers game.

Austin Reaves

A Lakers player who recently returned from a calf injury and will no longer have a minutes restriction.

JJ Redick

The head coach of the Lakers.

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What they’re saying

“Austin Reaves also will no longer be on his minutes restriction stemming from a five-week absence with a calf injury, coach JJ Redick said after practice at the Lakers' training complex.”

— JJ Redick, Head Coach

What’s next

The Lakers will need to continue managing their roster and injuries as they make a push for a higher playoff seed in the Western Conference.

The takeaway

The Lakers' ability to get healthy at the right time could be a key factor in their success down the stretch and in the playoffs, as they look to make a deep postseason run.