Sure, LeBron James has turned back the clock in the first two games of the LA Lakers’ opening-round series with the Houston Rockets. But the Lakers’ playoff destiny still hinges on whether Luka Doncic can return and make an impact.
Doncic was ruled out of the remainder of the regular season and playoffs with a Grade 2 hamstring strain on April 2. This is an injury that usually takes four to six weeks to heal. At this point we’re three weeks out. However, great news for the Lakers on Thursday. Doncic was seen going through some light shooting drills at the practice site.
It was a promising sign before the Lakers left for Texas to resume their series. Games 3 and 4 will be in Houston this weekend.
Doncic returns to action for first time since hamstring strain
A report by Khobi Price in the New York Post showed Doncic working out with assistant coach Greg St. Jean and lead video coordinator Michael Wexler after the Lakers’ main team practice.
Superstar “Gingerly” took some shooting drills, first from inside the paint, then some standstill threes from beyond the arc.
Of course, Doncic isn’t the only superstar from the Lakers’ lineup. Austin Reeves was also ruled out of the same April 2 game with a Grade 2 left oblique strain. His return is also unspecified, but he has been doing some court work since last week.
Without the two stars, the 40-year-old James has given Father Time (and the Rockets) a bit of a lesson in the first two games of the series. After a 19 points, 13 assists, 8 rebound performance in Game 1, he scored 28 points in Game 2. The Lakers lead the series 2-0 up to Houston.
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