The Los Angeles Lakers release their injury report ahead of the start of the playoffs.
The Los Angeles Lakers begin the 2026 NBA Playoffs at home, taking on the Houston Rockets.
The Lakers finished fourth in the West with a 53-29 record, their best record since the days of Phil Jackson. They won their last three games to stay ahead of the Rockets. They won 13 of 14 from March 6 to March 31 before injuries struck.
The Rockets closed the season with a 52-30 record, which was the same as last season. In 2025, that record was good enough to put them second in the West. This season, it was only good enough for fifth. They won nine of their last ten games.
The Lakers won the season series 2-1. The Rockets won on Christmas Day, 119-96. The Lakers scored back-to-back victories on March 16 and March 18.
Los Angeles Lakers Injury Report
Luka Doncic is OUT with a left hamstring strain. Doncic suffered the injury on April 2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. He played 26 minutes in the game before coming up with the hamstring strain. On April 14, it was reported that Doncic would be reevaluated on that day. There have been no further updates on his status.
He played 64 games this season, averaging 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 8.3 assists.
Austin Reaves is OUT with a left oblique strain. He also suffered the injury on April 2 against the Thunder. There have been no further updates on his status since he was injured. He averaged 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.5 assists in 51 games this season.
Jake LaRavia, Jaxson Hayes, and Jarred Vanderbilt are expected to get minutes off the bench.
Houston Rockets Injury Report
Kevin Durant is QUESTIONABLE with a right knee contusion. Durant sat out in the last game of the season against the Grizzlies as they were locked into the fifth seed. He played 39 minutes in the prior game against the Timberwolves and had not missed a game since February 2.
In 78 games this season, he averaged 26 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists.
Steven Adams is OUT after undergoing left ankle surgery in January that put an end to his season. In 32 games, he averaged 5.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.5 assists.
Fred VanVleet is OUT after undergoing ACL surgery on his right knee in September. He did not play at all this season.