LOS ANGELES.- After a successful season, crowned with a spectacular month of March, the title hopes of the NBA of the Los Angeles Lakers have been stopped short by the injuries of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
Third parties in the Western Conference After adding 15 victories in 17 games in March, the future of the Lakers suddenly took on dramatic overtones last Thursday, with the corrective received by the current champions, Oklahoma City Thunder (136-96), a game in which Doncic retired injured.
The next day a grade 2 strain was confirmed in the adductor muscles of the left leg, which will keep the Slovenian magician out of action indefinitely.
Since bad news never usually comes alone, on Saturday it was Reaves who suffered another grade 2 strain, this time in his oblique muscles.
Both players are already ruled out for the remainder of the regular season, until April 12, and their presence in the playoffs remains in doubt due to these muscle injuries, which usually require between four and six weeks of recovery.
American media reported on Sunday that Doncic traveled to Europe to follow a treatment with the aim of trying to shorten the deadlines.
“Prolong the season”
While waiting to recover both, the historic franchise with 17 titles must learn to play without its two main offensive threats, who add close to 57 points on average per game, of which 33.5 correspond to the 27-year-old Slovenian, the NBA’s top scorer this season.
Although he maintains a very high level of performance at 41 years old, the “King” LeBron James It is no longer a dominant offensive force in the league (20.6 points on average) and sees its hopes of achieving a fifth title seriously diminish.
“Everyone has to make an effort. Those two players are going to try to return, it is our duty to prolong the season to allow them to return,” said the coach. JJ Redick.
The coach, 41 years old and in his second season, rightly anticipates a difficult start to the playoffs.
With four games still to be played until April 12, the gold and purple remain third in the West, but with the same balance as the fourth, Denver (50 wins and 28 losses), which they surpass thanks to direct confrontations.
If they remain in this position, the Lakers would have a good chance of meeting again in the first round, like last year, with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Wolves ate the Angelenos 4-1 in 2025 and have retained the same core.
On the other hand, the Lakers can still fall to fifth place, which would lead them to a duel against Denver or Houston.
Without Doncic or Reaves, in any case they will not start as favorites.
“Simplify the plays”
The trip to Dallas on Sunday provided some first answers, while Marcus Smart He is also out (ankle), although he should return soon.
Surprisingly, the Lakers managed very well on offense, with a great game from James (30 points, 9 rebounds and 15 assists), and the first triple-double of James’ career. Luke Kennard (15 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists).
But the Californians struggled in defense and were surpassed by the rookie. Cooper Flagg (45 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assists) and for the Maverickswho won 134-128.
“We asked him to simplify the implementation of plays and rely on second actions,” Redick explained of Kennard, who arrived in February from Atlanta and promoted to point guard, who is usually the team’s sniper.
“He did a good job,” said the coach, who admitted that he is looking for a second baseman to free Kennard in the creation.
The only consolation for the moment for the Los Angeles fans is that these absences should translate into more minutes for Bronny Jamesson of the legend and darling of the public, author of 5 points in eight minutes against Dallas.
