Lakers Recall Knecht After Doncic, Reaves Injuries

Los Angeles signs $18M rookie to help fill void left by stars' absences.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 11:11pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Los Angeles Lakers have recalled guards Kobe Bufkin and Dalton Knecht from their G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, following devastating injury announcements about stars Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Doncic will be sidelined for the rest of the regular season with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, while Reaves is expected to miss 4-6 weeks with a Grade 2 left oblique muscle injury.

Why it matters

The Lakers were emerging as a legitimate contender in the Western Conference, but these injuries to two of their top players are a major setback. The team will now have to find new ways to generate offense without Doncic and Reaves, and lesser-known players like Knecht could be called upon to step up and provide a spark.

The details

Doncic suffered the hamstring injury in the third quarter of the Lakers' 139-96 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday. Reaves was also hurt in the same game but was able to finish. The Lakers have now recalled Bufkin and Knecht from their G League affiliate to help fill the void left by the injuries. Knecht, a second-year guard signed to an $18 million rookie contract, has the potential to be a dangerous threat from beyond the arc and could see increased playing time with the team's top players sidelined.

  • Doncic was injured on Thursday, April 3, 2026.
  • Reaves' injury was announced on Saturday, April 5, 2026.
  • The Lakers recalled Bufkin and Knecht on Saturday, April 5, 2026.

The players

Luka Doncic

A star player for the Los Angeles Lakers who will be sidelined for the rest of the regular season with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain.

Austin Reaves

A Lakers player who will miss the remainder of the regular season and possibly more time beyond that with a Grade 2 left oblique muscle injury.

Kobe Bufkin

A guard who has been recalled from the Lakers' G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, to help fill the void left by the injuries to Doncic and Reaves.

Dalton Knecht

A second-year guard who has been recalled from the South Bay Lakers and signed to an $18 million rookie contract, with the potential to be a dangerous threat from beyond the arc.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic will be sidelined at least through the end of the regular season with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, the team announced Friday.”

— Dave McMenamin, ESPN Reporter

“With the team already reeling from the Luka Doncic left hamstring strain diagnosis that will sideline him indefinitely, the Los Angeles Lakers announced on Saturday that Austin Reaves has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 left oblique muscle injury and will be out for the remainder of the regular season.”

— Dave McMenamin, ESPN Reporter

What’s next

The Lakers will have to find new ways to generate offense without Doncic and Reaves, and lesser-known players like Knecht could be called upon to step up and provide a spark. The team will also have to wait and see how long Reaves' recovery takes, as he could potentially return at some point during the playoffs.

The takeaway

These injuries to Doncic and Reaves are a major setback for the Lakers, who were emerging as a legitimate contender in the Western Conference. The team will now have to rely on role players and lesser-known talent to keep them afloat, and the development of players like Knecht could be crucial to their success going forward.