The Los Angeles Lakers are preparing for their first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets with a renewed emphasis on rebounding, following injuries to key players. Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, the team's top two scorers, will miss the start of the series due to Grade 2 hamstring and oblique strains, respectively. Coach JJ Redick confirmed their indefinite absences, stating, 'They’re out indefinitely. I’m not going to have an update for you this week.'
Rebounding was a notable weakness for the Lakers during the regular season, ranking fourth-worst in the NBA with 41.0 rebounds per game. In contrast, the Rockets led the league in rebounding, averaging 48.1 overall and 15.0 on the offensive glass. With Doncic (7.7 rebounds per game) and Reaves (4.7 rebounds per game) sidelined, the Lakers are prioritizing defensive fundamentals. 'Taking care of the basketball and boxing out. That’s the series,' Redick said. 'Scheme, personnel, obviously important, but if we don’t take care of the ball and we don’t box out, we’re not gonna win the series.'
Doncic, who averaged 33.5 points, 8.3 assists, and 7.7 rebounds per game, is expected to miss at least a month due to his hamstring injury. Reaves, averaging 23.3 points and 4.7 rebounds, faces a 4-6 week recovery timeline. LeBron James, the team's veteran leader, will assume a larger role, averaging 24 points, 9.7 assists, and 6 rebounds in the final week of the regular season.