On Saturday night, the Los Angeles Lakers will play the Houston Rockets (at home) for Game 1 of their first-round playoff series.
The Lakers come into the series dealing with injuries to two of their best three players. That said, they are still the fourth seed in the Western Conference after going 53-29.
JJ Redick Announces Injury Update
Before Game 1, head coach JJ Redick officially announced that Austin Reaves (and Luka Doncic) are out.
Jovan Buha wrote: “JJ Redick confirmed Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves will be out for Game 1 on Saturday.”
Latest On Reaves
Reaves is in his fifth NBA season (out of Oklahoma). He finished the regular season with averages of 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.1 steals per contest while shooting 49.0% from the field and 36.0% from three-point range in 51 games. The 27-year-old last played in a game on April 2.
Michael J. Duarte of The California Post wrote: “Every day Austin Reaves (oblique strain) seemingly does a little bit more at Lakers practice. After shooting free throws and threes the last 2 days, he was doing some work in key today.”
Social Media Reacts To Update From Redick
Here’s what people were saying in response to Buha’s post:
@reavesdiary: “Thanks JJ we didn’t know”
@LakerTakeover24: “They should sit until next season”
@DailyFlagstaff: “I don’t see them back until round 2 if the Lakers can somehow get there.”
@saintcloud99: “i am donating my hamstring and oblique respectively”
Lakers And Rockets
The Lakers are coming off a year where they lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs (in five games). They had a strong regular season that proved (if healthy) they can compete with anyone. At home, the Lakers have gone 28-13 in 41 games. Following Saturday’s game, they will play one more in Los Angeles on Tuesday before heading to Houston for Games 3 and 4.
The Rockets are the fifth seed after going 52-30. They are 22-19 in 41 games away from Houston. Last season, the Rockets lost to Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs (in seven games).
