Lakers coach JJ Redick offers updates on Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves

The Lakers won’t have Luka Doncic or Austin Reaves anytime soon.

Head coach JJ Redick made that clear Tuesday, saying neither guard is close to returning and that no formal update is expected before Game 1 of the team’s first-round series, per Dave McMenamin of ESPN.

“They’re out indefinitely,” Redick said. “I’m not going to have an update for you this week.”

That lines up with the timeline.

Doncic suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain on April 2, while Reaves went down with a Grade 2 oblique strain in the same game. Both injuries typically require multiple weeks of recovery.

There was some recent buzz about Doncic returning stateside after receiving treatment in Spain. Even so, a Game 1 return was always a long shot.

So the Lakers have adjusted.

LeBron James has taken on more playmaking duties, averaging 11.0 assists over his final four games of the regular season. Luke Kennard has also stepped in, posting 6.4 assists per game across five appearances after the injuries.

And there’s another name back in the mix.

Marcus Smart returned Friday after missing nine games with a right ankle issue and is expected to play a key role in the backcourt as Los Angeles opens its series against the Rockets.

But no Doncic. No Reaves. At least not yet.