Luka Doncic Update: Lakers Coach JJ Redick Announces Positive News

Luka Doncic’s return has been a constant topic among LA Lakers hopefuls throughout the NBA playoffs so far. After the team’s Tuesday practice, Lakers head coach JJ Redick confirmed a positive development on Doncic’s recovery. 

When asked by reporters about Doncic’s injury recovery, Redick said that there was an increase in movement from him during the day’s on-court practice. 

“Yes,” Redick said when reporter Benjamin Royer asked Redick if Doncic had increased movement in practice. 

Doncic has been recovering from a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, which has put him out of action for nearly a month already. 

His progress has been expedited with stem cell therapy in Europe, and fastened rehabilitation in Los Angeles to come in time for when the Lakers need him in the NBA playoffs. 

Doncic was the Lakers’ top scorer in the regular season, averaging 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game to lead the Lakers to the No. 4 seed. 

For now, there is not much pressure for Doncic to return immediately for the Lakers as the team remains comfortably ahead against the Houston Rockets in Round 1 with a 3-1 advantage. 

The Lakers, who have also not seen their second-best scorer Austin Reaves, in the playoffs yet, have been leaning on the 41-year-old LeBron James, who has steered the Lakers to a 3-0 advantage against the Rockets, before dropping one in Game 4. 

Unlike Doncic, Reaves, who is also recovering from a Grade 2 left oblique strain, is a game-time decision for the team in Game 5, where the Lakers have a chance to end the series and eliminate the Rockets. 

Luka Doncic Has Been Improving Day-to-Day

GettyLuka Doncic slowly improves his mobility.

Prior to Game 4, JJ Redick revealed that Luka Doncic’s workouts were mostly standstill, creating concerns about his game shape if he attempts to come back anytime soon. 

“He just continues to kind of do some stuff on the court,” Redick told reporters. “Was able to move a little bit today on the court, which, you know, most of the stuff has been standstill. So he’s progressing, but no update on any timeline or anything like that.”

A Grade 2 left hamstring strain usually heals up between three to eight weeks of recovery, leaving Doncic in the right window for a possible return in the playoffs. 

However, his return may not happen in the first round against the Rockets, leaving the job to LeBron James to finish off Houston to give Doncic more time for recovery to potentially return in Round 2 against the OKC Thunder, whose squad swept the Phoenix Suns in the opening round. 

Lakers Have A Chance To Eliminate the Rockets on Wednesday

GettyThe Lakers can eliminate the Rockets in Game 5.

Wednesday will be an important day for the Lakers as they hope to close out their Round 1 series against the Rockets at home for Game 5. 

A loss would be massive as the Rockets would carry the momentum of a possible back-to-back wins back to Houston for Game 6. 

Yet, no team in NBA history has ever overcome a 0-3 deficit. 

Tip-off of Game 5 will be at 10:00 p.m. Eastern time. 

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