Turn Back the Clock: Ageless LeBron James Powers Lakers

Understandably, Dončić and Reaves have wanted to make playoff contributions. But while supporting their teammates on the bench, the two also have looked restless. Before tipoff, Dončić shot a layup and dribbled a few times before eventually handing the ball to an official. Both Dončić and Reaves stood and paced around during timeouts.

Dončić also looked antsy when he stood at center court with Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka and held a trophy to commemorate his NBA scoring title. Beforehand, Lakers coach JJ Redick said he felt "disappointed" that Dončić  was not among the NBA regular-season MVP finalists and blamed his exclusion on "media momentum." It seems safe to presume Dončić hopes he can offer a rebuttal soon.

Dončić and Reaves may need to wait, though. Redick stressed there is “no update on timeline for either of those guys.” He confirmed that Reaves just started some on-court work and that the team’s medical staff also cleared Dončić to begin on-court work soon. But Redick added, “it’s above my pay grade” on what the next steps in each player’s rehab entail. Therefore, the Lakers haven’t indicated anything definitive about whether Dončić or Reaves will return at some point against Houston. The Lakers haven’t ruled them out, though.

It's understandable for the Lakers’ training staff to leave things open-ended. That allows them flexibility for either player's progress or setback. Philosophically, though, the Lakers should proceed as if neither Dončić nor Reaves will return against the Rockets, beginning with Game 3 in Houston on Friday. The Lakers’ medical staff should also avoid temptation to clear them simply to satisfy either player’s competitiveness or the franchise’s hope to improve their odds to advance against Houston.

Most doctors project that a player needs between four to six weeks to heal from either a Grade 2 hamstring strain or Grade 2 oblique strain. Based on that timeline, both Dončić and Reaves need at least another week of rehab. That keeps the window open for either to return for a possible Game 6 in Houston on May 1. It also appears possible that Dončić and Reaves could use another three more weeks to ensure they have healed fully.

Sure, Dončić traveled to Europe for unspecified treatment that presumably could quicken his recovery. But the Lakers’ training staff faces a real danger in repeating a similar mistake when Dončić initially strained his left hamstring in Oklahoma City.

Then, the Lakers’ training staff cleared him to play in the second half despite showing discomfort earlier in the game. When players have not fully healed their hamstring, they are more likely to aggravate it. So an early return could significantly increase the odds that Dončić reinjures his hamstring just before the Lakers actually need him the most in a presumed second-round meeting against the Thunder. Dončić would have plenty of time to recover in the summer, but that can also disrupt his training regimen to ensure strong conditioning. 

As for Reaves? He’s healing an injury that typically involves managing more pain tolerance than structural damage. Though that injury is typically less sensitive than a hamstring strain, that doesn’t mean Reaves isn’t vulnerable with an early return. 

Should Reaves return too early, he could also risk reinjuring himself just before he becomes a free agent in July. The Lakers have indicated they want to sign Reaves to a max contract. But Reaves shouldn’t test the Lakers’ loyalty, even if he has a full offseason to heal. The Lakers shouldn’t pressure Reaves to put himself in that position, either.

But what if Dončić and Reaves progress just fine in individual drills, team drills and full-contact drills without any setbacks? Of course, the Lakers should welcome their return then. Should the Lakers face the Thunder in the second round, they will need as much talent and depth as they can just to have a slim chance in upsetting the defending NBA champions.

The Lakers hardly need them against Houston, though. In Game 2, the Lakers took turns limiting Durant to three second-half points and Alperen Şengün to six first-half points. While Durant missed Game 1 with a right knee contusion, the Lakers held Şengün, Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith Jr. to a combined 18-for-51 from the field.

The Lakers expect that Durant and Şengün will have bounce-back games. They also anticipate the Rockets will play more desperately at home. But win or lose in Game 3, the Lakers don’t need to act desperate with how they manage their injured stars.

“Obviously, we would love for them to be here,” Smart said of Dončić and Reaves. “They elevate us to a whole other level. We understand that. But they’re not, and there’s nothing we can do about it but step our games up for those guys.”

So far, the Lakers have done just that. There's no reason they can't do it again to ensure two more wins.