Lakers Survive Without Doncic, Reaves in Playoff Opener

0:00It's April 18th. California news today starts now. AI powered and ready. I'm Corey with the story. The Lakers are rolling into the 2026 NBA playoffs, missing their top two guards. Luca Donchitch and Austin Reeves. Both got hurt on April 2nd against the Oklahoma City Thunder and with game one against the Houston Rockets underway, neither is clear to suit. Joe, up, coach J.J. Reddick laid it out clear. The team's plan is to stretch this run as far as possible, hoping to buy time for those guys to heal up. No firm timelines or guarantees, just focus on surviving while they rehab hard. Fans and players feel the weight, especially with LeBron James carrying the load at 39. These injuries hit right before the postseason, forcing a total line-up shake-up that tests the depth everyone knew was key this year. Signs of hope are popping up, though. Donchitch jetted to Madrid for Stimcell work on his hamstring, then got spotted e-biking near his men and hadn't beach-spot with his dad.

1:00Reeves, nursing a grade two oblique strain that usually needs four to six weeks is already shooting free throws after practice. Game one features the Lakers' new starting five of Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard, LeBron, Ruihachi Mora, and DeAndre Aiton, leaning on shooting, D and James' playmaking. Houston rolls with Kevin Durant, who's questionable with the knee-brews, plus Aiman Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., Alparen Sangun, and Reed Shepard. Wins now decide if the injury come back's even matter.