Magic Johnson Comments on Injuries to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves Before NBA Playoffs

The Los Angeles Lakers secured a playoff spot in the NBA postseason. However, the team faces challenges ahead of their first-round series later this month due to injuries to key players Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Both players were injured during the Lakers' loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday.

Doncic was diagnosed with a grade 2 hamstring strain, which typically requires four to six weeks of recovery. He has traveled to Europe to receive injections for the injury. As long as the substances clear his system before returning to the United States, he would not face any punishment.

Reaves sustained a grade 2 oblique strain and is also expected to miss four to six weeks. The details of his rehabilitation process remain unclear. Lakers head coach JJ Redick stated that both players aim to return during the playoffs.

Tuesday, former Lakers player Magic Johnson posted on social media about the injuries.

He addressed Doncic's condition first, noting his performance during the season. Johnson then commented on Reaves' injury and the timing relative to the playoffs.

“I’m devastated about Luka Doncic’s injury because he was having an MVP season and should definitely be First Team All-NBA.”

The Lakers currently sit half a game behind the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference. They may face the Houston Rockets or Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round. LeBron James, aged 41, is expected to lead the team in the absence of Doncic and Reaves.

Some sports doctors suggest that Doncic's recovery could take three to four weeks if his treatment in Europe proceeds as planned. This timeline might allow him to return early in the first-round series. The Lakers' ability to advance depends on extending their season to accommodate the players' returns.

The injuries affect the team's depth, particularly since both Doncic and Reaves were performing at career-high levels this season. The playoffs begin a week after the injuries occurred. The stakes involve competing in the Western Conference, where seeding impacts matchups and home-court advantage.