New Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves Injury Updates Ahead of Lakers vs. Rockets NBA Playoffs Series

The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to be without Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves for at least the start of their first-round matchup against the Houston Rockets, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.

Charania reported Dončić will be reevaluated on Tuesday after undergoing multiple injection treatments on his hamstring, while Reaves is likely out until at least the first week of May as he deals with an oblique injury.

NBA insider Marc Stein added:

Dončić suffered a Grade 2 left hamstring strain against the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 2. The initial timeline ruled him out for the remainder of the regular season and possibly longer.

After the injury, Charania reported that Dončić travelled to Spain to receive an injection procedure that looked to "promote healing." Lakers coach JJ Redick said Dončić was in "relatively good spirits" following the procedure.

Dončić's absence is always felt by the Lakers, but especially at this point in the season. He put up 33.5 points, 8.3 assists and 7.7 rebounds per game this season and had been tremendous before the injury, averaging 37.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game over the course of March.

Reaves, meanwhile, averaged 23.3 points, 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds this season while shooting 49 percent from the field and 36 percent from three-point range. He has not played since April 2.

Los Angeles, at full strength, is a team that seems capable of making a deep playoff run. The issue, however, is that the Lakers aren't fully healthy at the moment.

If Dončić and Reaves can return at some point, the Lakers will be a team to watch in the postseason. Until then, LeBron James will try to lead the way.

Los Angeles opens its first-round matchup against the Rockets on Saturday night.