Lakers’ JJ Redick on injuries to Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves: ‘Extend the season’

The Lakers were rolling. Then Thursday happened.

A blowout loss to the Thunder turned into something much worse, with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves both going down with significant injuries.

Now, coach JJ Redick is left explaining how it unfolded.

“As a coach, you go on the information you have,” Redick said, via The Athletic. “He was medically cleared. When Austin came back, I asked directly. I thought he was hurt. (I was told), ‘No, he’s medically cleared.’ The group wanted to go for it in the second half… There was nothing leading into that game that would suggest either those guys were ‘running hot.’”

Doncic has since been diagnosed with a Grade 2 hamstring strain and is expected to miss extended time, with plans to seek treatment in Europe. Reaves, meanwhile, is out four-to-six weeks with a Grade 2 oblique injury.

In other words, yeah, this is not ideal.

Redick’s focus now is simple: “Extend the season.”

That’s the goal. Survive long enough to get both guys back.

In the meantime, the Lakers are scrambling. Sunday’s loss in Dallas offered a glimpse of what’s ahead — new lineups, unfamiliar combinations, and a whole lot of improvising. Multiple units that had never played together were suddenly logging real minutes.

LeBron James did what he could, finishing with 30 points, 15 assists and nine rebounds. But even he admitted the moment hit hard.

“I took my nap… and woke up with that news,” James said. “It was like another shot… That was literally my tone.”

The Lakers are still tied for the No. 3 seed. But suddenly, that doesn’t feel nearly as secure.