Slovenian guard Luka Doncic is reportedly expected to rejoin his Los Angeles Lakers teammates as early as next week.
Per ESPN’s Malika Andrews, the Lakers expect to have Doncic on the bench for the first round of the playoffs, even if their best player isn’t medically cleared to play.
“I was in Crypto.com Arena last night, and I’m hearing Luka could be back around the team as early as next week,” Andrews reported on “NBA Today” on Wednesday.
Austin Reaves, also sidelined for four to six weeks with an oblique injury, has been seen on the Lakers bench in recent games. It looks like Reaves’ backcourt teammate, Doncic, might join him there as early as next week, giving the Lakers a morale boost.
Luka Doncic Injury Update
Doncic is currently in Madrid, Spain, seeking alternative treatment for his strained hamstring, with some speculating that he’s receiving PRP injections. The six-time All-Star is reportedly eager to rejoin his teammates as soon as possible, as revealed by Lakers head coach JJ Redick.
While Redick refused to provide a timeline on when Doncic will return to the United States, he divulged details of a recent phone conversation with the star guard.
“I’m not gonna share how long he’s going to be over there, but I think he’s in good spirits,” Redick said of Doncic, via Lakers Nation’s Daniel Starkand.
“I think he’s, in my conversations with him, he’s motivated to do everything possible. I know for him, it’s hard for him not to be on a basketball court. That’s his happy place.
“He’s one of the handful of guys that really play year round, and it’s not just international competition, but he likes to be in the gym. He likes to be working on his craft, and I think it’s hard for him. He wants to get back on the court.”
Lakers Prepare for Playoffs
The Lakers (50-29) are expected to face the Houston Rockets (50-29) in the first round of the playoffs in a 4 vs. 5 matchup. Redick plans to use the final three regular-season games to figure out his playoff rotations.
“You obviously have to tackle the situation in front of you, that we have — a unique situation in front of us,” Redick said of the Lakers’ injury woes, via ESPN.
“And we’ve got to prepare our team, our group that we’re going to have available to play in the playoffs series. … How we approach next week leading into Game 1, it’s finding who’s going to be able to play in the playoffs for us. … The seeding part probably went out the window after the OKC game.”
The Lakers will wrap up their regular season with clashes against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday, the Phoenix Suns on Friday and the Utah Jazz on Sunday.
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