Dave McMenamin
Multiple Authors
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — After placing his group by its first apply in preparation for the playoffs, Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick mentioned Tuesday he would not have any extra details about when Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves may return from their respective accidents.
“They’re out indefinitely,” Redick mentioned. “I’m not going to have an update for you this week. They’re out indefinitely.”
Reaves, who’s recovering from a Grade 2 left indirect pressure, was on the group’s facility and shot free throws after apply with teammates — whereas carrying slide sandals. After sustaining the harm April 2 in a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, his rehab is anticipated to take 4 to 6 weeks, sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Doncic remains to be in Spain, the place he has acquired a number of injections on his Grade 2 left hamstring pressure. Sources informed ESPN that Doncic will return to L.A. on Friday be part of his group for Game 1 of its first-round playoff collection towards the Houston Rockets on Saturday (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC).
The Lakers could have LeBron James within the lineup, coming off Western Conference Player of the Week honors to assist L.A. to a 3-1 week to shut out the common season after their star backcourt was injured, however Redick mentioned the group’s recreation plan will not solely be leaning on the 23-year veteran.
“I do think we have other options [other than] just him having the ball and going against a set defense every single possession,” Redick mentioned. “We’ll look to mix in different actions depending on their lineups and their coverages.”
After giving his group an off day Monday, Redick mapped out the remainder of the week to arrange for the collection opener.
Tuesday “was about us,” Redick mentioned. Wednesday, the teaching employees will introduce the Rockets’ personnel, that includes the NBA’s fifth all-time main scorer, Kevin Durant; All-Star large man Alperen Sengun; and the 6-foot-7 wing, Amen Thompson, thought of to be one of the athletic gamers within the league. Then Thursday, the group will do their scout and Friday, reinforce that scout.
“Saturday, we’ll be good to go,” Redick mentioned.
While specializing in his group Tuesday, Redick deliberate a extra energetic apply that he did final spring main as much as their first-round opener towards the Minnesota Timberwolves, a 117-95 defeat.
“We wanted to reach certain thresholds, and we did,” Redick mentioned, referring to monitoring knowledge monitoring his gamers hundreds, accelerations and jumps throughout the session. “Thought the guys had a very business-like, focused approach to today’s practice.”
The a method Redick launched Houston to the combo was by working his gamers by a box-out drill.
The Rockets led the league in complete rebounds per recreation (48.1) and offensive rebounds per recreation (15.0). The Lakers completed twenty seventh.
“Taking care of the basketball and boxing out, that’s the series,” Redick mentioned. “Scheme, personnel, obviously important, but if we don’t take care of the ball and we don’t box out, we’re not going to win the series.”
Lakers backup heart Jaxson Hayes, who returned to apply Tuesday after sitting out the previous 4 video games due to a sore left foot, mentioned the drill reminded him of his faculty days on the University of Texas.
And L.A. could have a Texas-sized problem with this Rockets group.
“I know I can impact the game with my energy: running, getting rebounds, boxing guys out,” Hayes mentioned. “Especially Clint [Capela] and the bigs, I do know they’re on the glass heavy, so simply ensuring I maintain them off and doing regardless of the group wants me to do.”
