Is Luka Doncic playing for the Lakers in Game 1 vs. the Rockets?
The Los Angeles Lakers will face the Houston Rockets in Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Playoffs without Luka Doncic, who is sidelined with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain. Doncic suffered the injury on April 2 and was ruled out for the rest of the regular season.
The Los Angeles Lakers will open the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets on Saturday night without Luka Doncic. Doncic suffered a Grade 2 left hamstring strain on April 2 in a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. He was ruled out for the rest of the regular season and is currently out indefinitely. Head coach JJ Redick confirmed that Doncic and Austin Reaves are out indefinitely, with no expected return in the first round. The Lakers will play Game 1 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on April 18 at 8:30 p.m. ET. The team has not completely ruled out Doncic's return if the series goes to six or seven games.
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