Updated April 18, 2026, 7:37 p.m. ET
In an alternate universe, the primary spherical NBA playoff series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets can be a star-studded affair, pitting a few of the greatest within the sport in an all-out slugfest. In actuality, it now appears to be like extra like a triage heart with a lot of the stars sidelined with accidents.
Late-season dings to hamstrings, obliques, and knees imply the opening salvo out west shall be with out Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and the beforehand wholesome Kevin Durant. That’s three stars watching Game 1 from the sidelines.
For the Lakers, meaning being severely depleted in a collection that now rests on the shoulders of the person who wears the crown. LeBron James (41) has been beating Father Time with Reaves and Doncic on the shelf, going 23 factors and 9.2 assists over the past 5 video games, serving to the Lakers shut out the season with three consecutive wins.
Here is what to know concerning the Lakers’ accidents as they enter the collection vs Houston:
Luka Doncic injury replace
The Lakers have an enormous gap within the lineup with out Doncic, dropping the 33.5 factors, 8.3 assists and seven.7 rebounds per sport he was averaging.
Suffering a hamstring injury on April 2, the Lakers have merely acknowledged that the star is out indefinitely, not committing as to if the 27-year-old may return later within the first spherical.
Austin Reaves injury replace
Reaves was injured in the identical April 2 blowout loss to the Thunder that Doncic was, struggling a Grade 2 left indirect muscle pressure.
As famous above, Reaves shares the identical outlook as his LA counterpart. He is out indefinitely and won’t swimsuit up for Game 1.
Kevin Durant injury replace
The Rockets usually are not with out their very own maladies. Kevin Durant was banged up a bit in observe this week. Now, after he was listed as questionable, he is been formally dominated out for Game 1 after sustaining a proper knee contusion.
LeBron James stats
It goes with out saying that the Lakers completely want James to play a big quantity for the collection, however we’ll say it anyway.
Over the final 4 video games, the staff has gone 3-1 with its two stars out. In that point, James has averaged 26.8 factors per sport and the staff enjoys a +/- of +20 when he is on the court docket. When he is off, that drops to -7.
Not many are giving the Lakers a shot this collection. But whether or not the underdog is to drag off an upset shall be decided by whether or not James can proceed to conjure his classic type.
This story has been up to date with new data.
