The Los Angeles Lakers got a fresh update on injured guards Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves before Friday’s game against the Golden State Warriors, with coach JJ Redick offering insight into both players’ recovery progress.
According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Redick said he spoke with Dončić on Thursday while the star guard was in Spain continuing treatment for his Grade 2 left hamstring strain. Redick said Dončić is in “relatively good spirits” and is attacking his rehab.
The Lakers have been without Dončić during a crucial late-season stretch, and his recovery remains one of the organization’s biggest priorities as the playoffs approach.
Redick Says He Has Daily Check-Ins With Luka and Reaves
GettyHead coach JJ Redick of the Los Angeles Lakers high fives Luka Doncic against the Chicago Bulls during the second half at the United Center on March 27, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.
Redick also said he has remained in regular contact with both Dončić and Reaves as they work through their injuries.
Per the Los Angeles Times’ Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Redick said he has daily check-ins with both players and spoke to Dončić before the team got on the plane. Redick described Dončić as being in “relatively — relatively — good spirits.”
That update offered a positive sign for Los Angeles, particularly given the uncertainty surrounding the timelines for both players.
Dončić has already been ruled out for the remainder of the regular season and is currently in Spain for specialized medical treatment designed to help speed his recovery. The five-time All-Star averaged 33.5 points, 8.3 assists and 7.7 rebounds in 64 games this season and has been central to the Lakers’ offense.
Austin Reaves Staying Around Team During Rehab
Redick also shared that it has been beneficial for Reaves to remain around the team as he begins the early stage of his recovery.
McMenamin reported that Redick said it has been good for Reaves to be around the group while going through his initial phase of rehab.
That matters for a Lakers team trying to keep continuity despite major injuries to two of its top offensive players. Reaves is expected to miss the rest of the regular season with a Grade 2 oblique strain and could remain sidelined for four to six weeks, putting his availability for the start of the playoffs in doubt.
Before the injury, Reaves was in the middle of the best season of his career, averaging 23.3 points, 5.5 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 51 games while taking on a larger offensive role.
Lakers Fighting Through Key Injuries
The Lakers have had to adjust quickly without both Dončić and Reaves.
Their absences have contributed to a shift in the Western Conference standings, with Los Angeles falling out of the No. 3 seed and entering a tighter race in the final days of the regular season. The burden has shifted more heavily onto LeBron James and the rest of the rotation as the team tries to stabilize before the playoffs.
Aside from Dončić and Reaves, the Lakers are also missing starter Marcus Smart (right ankle contusion) and backup center Jaxson Hayes (left foot soreness).
Friday’s matchup against the Warriors is another test for a group trying to balance short-term urgency with long-term health.
Health Remains Central to Lakers’ Playoff Hopes
For all the standings implications, the bigger issue for Los Angeles remains whether Dončić and Reaves can return in time to make a meaningful postseason impact.
Redick did not offer a specific return target for either player, but his update suggested both remain engaged in the process and progressing through rehab.
That is especially important for Dončić, whose treatment overseas has become a major focus, and for Reaves, whose presence around the team allows him to stay connected during recovery.
With the playoffs approaching, the Lakers are still waiting on two of their most important players. For now, the latest word from Redick was at least a positive one.
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