Even with the Los Angeles Lakers' blowout loss to the Houston Rockets in game four of the first round of the playoffs, they still hold a healthy 3-1 lead in the playoffs and considering the state of the Lakers roster, that lead is nothing short of miraculous.

The Lakers were well on their way to a strong finish of the regular season, winning 13 out of 14 games heading into an April 5 game against the Dallas Mavericks that quickly proved to the change the entire energy of the season. 

Luka Doncic suffered a hamstring strain in that game, an injury that typically projects to have a 4-6 recovery period, and just a few games later Austin Reaves suffered an oblique strain. 

In a moment, the Lakers had lost their two leading scorers, leaving the team reeling and desperate to make adjustments to ensure they can complete in the playoffs. So far they've been able to do that, largely on the back on LeBron James rising to the occasion and both Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard having breakouts of their own.

Still, the Lakers need their two stars of the back court to come back as soon as possible and while Doncic may still need time fully recover, Reaves could be nearing a return much sooner. 

ESPN's Shams Charania recently appeared on the Pat McAfee Show and shared an update on the two Los Angeles stars' conditions that look somewhat optimistic for Lakers fans. 

While Charania stated that Doncic will not be returning at all during the Rockets series, Reaves may be back on the court as early as game five on Wednesday back in Los Angeles. 

"Austin Reaves, we'll see how he feels. He could play in game five," Charania said. "HE was a game time decision in game three and game four... He had a Grade-2 oblique strain. That's 4-6 weeks, That four week period, that's coming up closer at the end of this week. I think game five, very much within realm for him."

Charania also shared that Doncic has begun ramping up basketball activities again and could possibly see a return in a round two series should the Lakers advance, which would be against the titanic Oklahoma City Thunder.

As great as the Lakers have been in their series against the Rockets, having Doncic and Reaves back is essential for any chance of further playoff success, especially if they want to manage any kind of upset against the Thunder.