Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves Injury Statuses Updated by Lakers' JJ Redick Ahead of NBA Playoffs

The Los Angeles Lakers could be in danger of being without star guards Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves when they open the first round of the NBA playoffs against the Houston Rockets on Saturday.

Lakers head coach JJ Redick told reporters on Tuesday that both Doncic (hamstring) and Reaves (oblique) are out "indefinitely," and he's "not going to have an update for you this week."

ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Doncic is set to return to Los Angeles on Friday after spending the last week in Spain, where he received multiple injections for his Grade 2 left hamstring strain. Reaves is dealing with a Grade 2 left oblique strain, and he's remained on the West Coast. He was seen with teammates after Tuesday's practice:

Doncic and Reaves were the Lakers' two leading scorers this season. After it appeared that Los Angeles was finding its groove with a 16-2 stretch between February and March, their injuries came at the worst possible time.

Redick acknowledged before Friday's win over the Phoenix Suns that the Lakers were being viewed as ideal playoff opponents amid their rash of injuries.

"I'm sure everybody wants to play us," Redick said at the time. "Let's get that out there, like, everybody wants to play us."

Now, the Lakers are facing a Rockets team that will be out for revenge after losing the regular-season series 2-1. While Los Angeles will be led by star forward LeBron James in the absence of Doncic and Reaves, Houston's core simply has more depth with sharpshooter Kevin Durant leading the way.

Lakers fans will continue holding out hope for a return for their star duo, but Redick's grim prognosis indicated that the team will have to get used to life without Doncic and Reaves.