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Austin Reaves Shams: Austin Reaves could return for Game 5
Mon, Apr 27, 2026, 9:40 AM
Shams Charania
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Austin Reaves could return for Game 5 against the Rockets on Wednesday.
Analysis: In an appearance on the Pat McAfee show, Charania noted that Reaves - who was considered questionable for Game 4 - could get back on the court Wednesday when the Lakers return home for Game 5 against the Rockets. The Lakers went up three games to nil before getting blown out in Game 4. Reaves could be the catalyst the team needs to complete the gentleman's sweep and advance to the Western Conference semifinals. |
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Luka Doncic Luka Don?i? (hamstring) will not play in Round 1
Mon, Apr 27, 2026, 9:36 AM
Shams Charania
According to Shams Charania in an appearance on the Pat McAfee show, Luka Don?i? (hamstring) will not play in the Lakers' first-round series against the Rockets.
Analysis: LA is up 3-1 with Game 5 back at crypto.com Arena. Even if the series goes the distance, Don?i? will not return to the court sooner than the Western Conference semifinals. Until the superstar returns, the Lakers will continue to pick up the slack using a committee approach. |
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Rui Hachimura Rui Hachimura records 13 points vs. Houston
Sun, Apr 26, 2026, 6:47 PM
Rui Hachimura tallied 13 points (6-of-10 FGs), three rebounds, one assist, one steal, one block and one three-pointer in Sunday's Game 4 loss to the Rockets.
Analysis: Hachimura shot the ball well in Game 4, making 60 percent of his attempts. However, it wasn't enough on a night when the Lakers' high scorer, Deandre Ayton, was ejected halfway through the third quarter and only three starters finished in double figures. Hachimura and the Lakers will look to close out the series on Wednesday when they host Game 5. |
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LeBron James LeBron James limited to 10 points in Game 4 loss
Sun, Apr 26, 2026, 6:46 PM
LeBron James accounted for 10 points (2-of-9 FGs, 6-of-6 FTs), four rebounds and nine assists in Sunday's Game 4 loss to the Rockets.
Analysis: As well as James played in the first three games of this series, he struggled mightily in Game 4. The Rockets were far more effective defensively on Sunday, harassing James into eight turnovers and a 2-of-9 night from the field. LeBron and the Lakers head home for Game 5 on Wednesday, which may be enough time for Austin Reaves to return from his oblique injury. If so, that would be of immense help to James and the Lakers as they look to close out the series. |
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Deandre Ayton Deandre Ayton ejected after Flagrant 2 foul
Sun, Apr 26, 2026, 5:23 PM
Deandre Ayton was ejected from Sunday's Game 4 against the Rockets with 5:41 remaining in the third quarter.
Analysis: Ayton was assessed a Flagrant 2 foul for a forearm that he delivered to the head of Rockets center Alperen ?engün. The Lakers center played 25 minutes, finishing with 19 points (9-of-12 FGs, 1-of-1 FTs), 10 rebounds and one blocked shot. Ayton's early exit, the first of his NBA career, means more playing time for Jaxson Hayes. |
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Austin Reaves Austin Reaves (oblique) downgraded to out Sunday
Sun, Apr 26, 2026, 2:59 PM
Khobi Price
Austin Reaves (oblique) is out for Sunday's Game 4 against the Rockets.
Analysis: While there was hope that Reaves would be available for Game 4, the Lakers' 3-0 series lead may have factored into the decision to keep him out. Luke Kennard will remain in the starting lineup, and he has been productive throughout this series. |
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Austin Reaves Austin Reaves (oblique) questionable for Game 4
Sat, Apr 25, 2026, 12:06 PM
NBA Injury Report
Austin Reaves (oblique) is questionable for Sunday's Game 4 against the Rockets.
Analysis: The Lakers can close out the Rockets on Sunday, and they may get back one of their key scorers. Reaves, who has been out since April 2 with a strained oblique, is closing in on a return. Given where the series stands, the Lakers can take a conservative approach to working Reaves back into the lineup once he's available. Luke Kennard has been the starting off-guard, and that will remain the case until Reaves returns. |
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Marcus Smart Marcus Smart has 21/4/10 line in Game 3 win Friday
Fri, Apr 24, 2026, 5:25 PM
Marcus Smart had 21 points (5-of-9 FGs, 9-of-11 FTs), four rebounds, 10 assists, five steals, two blocks and two three-pointers in Friday's win over the Rockets in Game 3.
Analysis: Smart had 25 points, seven assists and five steals in Game 2 and had a pretty similar stat line in Game 3. The 32-year-old point guard had 21 points, 10 assists and five steals as the Lakers improbably took a 3-0 series lead with the overtime win. Smart has become one of the Lakers' most important players early in these playoffs with Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) sidelined. |
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Rui Hachimura Rui Hachimura has 22 points in Game 3 win Friday
Fri, Apr 24, 2026, 5:17 PM
Rui Hachimura had 22 points (8-of-14 FGs, 2-of-4 FTs), four rebounds, two assists, one steal and two three-pointers in Friday's Game 3 win over the Rockets.
Analysis: Hachimura set the tone right away in Game 3, dropping 16 points without missing from the field in the first quarter. The 28-year-old small forward finished with 22 points, which was second only to LeBron James on the Lakers. Hachimura had a great night while Luke Kennard, who averaged 25 points in the first two games of the series, had just 14 points. |
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LeBron James LeBron James has 29/13/6 line as Lakers go up 3-0
Fri, Apr 24, 2026, 5:09 PM
LeBron James had 29 points (10-of-22 FGs, 5-of-6 FTs), 13 rebounds, six assists, three steals, one block and four three-pointers in the Lakers' 112-108 victory over the Rockets in Game 3 on Friday.
Analysis: With the Lakers shorthanded to begin the playoffs, LeBron has been nothing short of excellent in the first three games. James is averaging 25.3 points, 9.7 rebounds and 8.7 assists in this series. With the Lakers trailing and less than 25 seconds remaining in regulation, the 41-year-old small forward got a steal and a game-tying three-pointer. Then the Lakers stole Game 3 in overtime. They'll have a chance to complete a sweep in Game 4 on Sunday. |
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Austin Reaves Austin Reaves (oblique) out for Game 3 Friday
Fri, Apr 24, 2026, 1:18 PM
Austin Reaves (oblique) is out for Friday's Game 3 against the Rockets.
Analysis: Reaves was initially listed as questionable and considered a game-time decision. After working out on the court pregame, he was ruled out. Luke Kennard will continue to start and put up points without Reaves, who hasn't played since April 2. |
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Jake LaRavia Jake LaRavia (ankle) no longer on injury report
Thu, Apr 23, 2026, 12:40 PM
NBA Injury Report
Jake LaRavia (ankle) is not on the injury report ahead of Game 3.
Analysis: LaRavia's absence from the injury report indicates that he'll be available to take the floor for the Lakers on Friday. He's come off the bench in each of the first two games against the Rockets in this series, posting six total points on 1-of-5 shooting from the field. He'll likely play a similar role as a reserve in Game 3. |
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Austin Reaves Austin Reaves (oblique) questionable for Game 3
Thu, Apr 23, 2026, 12:21 PM
Dave McMenamin
Austin Reaves (oblique) is questionable to play against the Rockets on Friday.
Analysis: Reaves' upgrade on the injury report to questionable is an encouraging sign, signaling a potential return to the floor. He hasn't appeared in a game since April 2, when the Lakers lost to the Thunder. The Lakers have gotten big production from others in Reaves' absence, specifically from Luke Kennard, who is averaging 25 points through two playoff games. Should Reaves return in Game 3, it'll likely be as a starter. |
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Jake LaRavia Jake LaRavia (ankle) day-to-day
Thu, Apr 23, 2026, 10:05 AM
Dan Woike
The Athletic's Dan Woike reports that Jake LaRavia is dealing with a âvery minorâ ankle sprain and is considered day-to-day.
Analysis: LaRavia's injury should be monitored, but it doesn't sound very serious. If he's forced to miss Game 3 at Houston, Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt could see increased run. |
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Luke Kennard Luke Kennard has 23 points, three threes in Game 2
Tue, Apr 21, 2026, 7:38 PM
Luke Kennard had 23 points (8-of-13 FGs, 4-of-4 FTs), six rebounds, two assists, three steals and three three-pointers in Tuesday's Game 2 victory over the Rockets.
Analysis: Kennard followed up his 27-point performance in Game 1 with 23 points in Game 2. The Lakers will certainly take this kind of production from Kennard while Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) are still out. Expect more of the same from Kennard until the Lakers get their stars back, though the Lakers will face a tough environment in Houston for Game 3 on Friday. |
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Marcus Smart Marcus Smart has 25 points, five threes in Game 2
Tue, Apr 21, 2026, 7:33 PM
Marcus Smart had 25 points (8-of-13 FGs, 4-of-5 FTs), two rebounds, seven assists, five steals, one block and five three-pointers in Tuesday's Game 2 victory over the Rockets.
Analysis: Smart had 15 points and one three-pointer in Game 1, but stepped up his offensive production significantly in Game 2, keying a Lakers win. The added scoring from the 32-year-old shooting guard was a welcomed sight for the Lakers with Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) still sidelined. Smart and the Lakers will take on the Rockets in Game 3 on Friday as the series shifts to Houston. |
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LeBron James LeBron James has 28/8/7 line in Game 2 win Tuesday
Tue, Apr 21, 2026, 7:20 PM
LeBron James had 28 points (8-of-20 FGs, 10-of-14 FTs), eight rebounds, seven assists, one steal and two three-pointers in the Lakers' 101-94 Game 2 victory over the Rockets on Tuesday.
Analysis: James shocked everyone in the third quarter when a lane completely opened up and he took the opportunity to throw down a reverse jam. With a minute left in the fourth quarter, another dunk by James essentially sealed the game for the Lakers. In his 23rd season and at 41-years-old, he still managed to play excellent basketball for 38 minutes in each of the first two games of this series. James is now the only player in NBA history at least 40-years-old to have at least 20 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in a playoff games and he's done it three times. James will keep running the show with Luka Don?i? (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) still sidelined. |
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Marcus Smart Marcus Smart dishes out eight assists vs. Houston
Sat, Apr 18, 2026, 5:33 PM
Marcus Smart finished Saturday's Game 1 win over the Rockets with 15 points (5-of-12 FGs, 4-of-8 FTs), two rebounds, eight assists, one steal, two blocks and one three-pointer.
Analysis: Smart didn't have the most efficient game, shooting below 50 percent from the field and committing five turnovers. Give the veteran guard credit for dishing out eight assists and recording three âstocks,â so all wasn't lost for those competing in playoff fantasy leagues. The Lakers host Game 2 on Tuesday night, and they'll need a cleaner performance from Smart than what he provided on Saturday. |
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Deandre Ayton Deandre Ayton posts 19 points, 11 rebounds vs. HOU
Sat, Apr 18, 2026, 5:32 PM
Deandre Ayton accounted for 19 points (8-of-10 FGs, 3-of-3 FTs), 11 rebounds, two assists and one blocked shot in Saturday's Game 1 win over the Rockets.
Analysis: No Luka Don?i? or Austin Reaves means that there is more room for Ayton to step up offensively, and he played well in Saturday's series opener. The 7-footer recorded a double-double on 80 percent shooting from the field while also leading the Lakers in rebounds. When Ayton is engaged early on, he's usually fine for the rest of the night, which was the case in Game 1. The Lakers will need more of that from him if they're to have a chance of winning the series. |
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LeBron James LeBron James records 19 points, 13 assists
Sat, Apr 18, 2026, 5:32 PM
LeBron James recorded 19 points (9-of-15 FGs, 0-of-2 FTs), eight rebounds, 13 assists, two steals, one block and one three-pointer in Saturday's Game 1 win over the Rockets.
Analysis: James made more history in Saturday's series opener, passing John Stockton to become the oldest player in league history to dish out at least 10 assists in a playoff game. LeBron made a concerted effort to get his teammates going, and the result was a more confident group with all five starters scoring at least 14 points. With it unknown when Luka Don?i? (hamstring) or Austin Reaves (oblique) will be healthy enough to play, LeBron will continue to shoulder most of the playmaking responsibilities. |
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