2026 NBA Season

[Cointxz]

LeBron needs to carry the load while both Luka and Austin are resting, just like what you mentioned in terms of carrying Luka already made that before with role players who can connect with the type of his game he'll be able to manage to push the team to the limits, hopefully he'll be back as they've got better chances to move forward if he and the rest of the Lakers will jive their game together and win their way to reach the finals.

IF Reaves and Luka will miss the 1st round of the 2026 playoffs, realistically speaking, the Lakers are as good as done. There's no way a 41-year-old LeBron can carry a team as he did with the Cavs before, not to mention against a team that swept them last year. Not unless, IF the whole bench miraculously becomes efficient in the playoffs, starts hitting open shots, gets energized along with Smart and Vando's defensive hustles. That's the only exemption I can think of, and they need to be consistently doing it for the rest of the series.
I think this is also the perfect time for Luke Kennard to start jacking up a lot of 3s.

Even with Reaves playing they need a miracle to beat either Rockets or Wolves on the 1st round of playoffs. Their offense is now revolving with Luka but now that he can’t play anymore on the 1st round playoffs I doubt they can surpass their opponent.

It’s so devastating for Lakers to lost their 2 key players for offense while leaving only the father and son duo to do the heavy lifting for the Lakers remnant.

LBJ might experience again what he suffers during his rookie on Cavs. lol

[coinrifft]

Luka getting injured in that game was a huge factor. If it’s a hamstring issue, he could be out for a few weeks, which is really bad timing with the playoffs coming up.
It looks like bad news overall, especially after the Lakers were building momentum with that winning streak and then this happens.

How long is the regular season? Because it's said that he's going to miss the remainder of the regular season. When everyone is cheering him up to get this season's MVP, this happened. Truly a bad timing not just for the Lakers but also for himself. We don't know if he'll recover fast but there are also some other stars who have got this type of injury and what we can do is to simply hope that he'll get back on his shape and will have that complete recovery. It's all that we can ask and pray for Luka whether you're a fan or not, you like him or not.

The season is over in 9 days. It looks likely that Luka will probably be out to start the playoffs as well. Hopefully LeBron and co can take care of round 1 and give Luka some extra rest time.

I agree. That might be enough time for Luka to heal, with that period it's a serious time for each of the key players of Lakers to take care of the games while Luka is on a rest.

But for the Lakers, the question is who’s going to take that role now, especially since LeBron isn’t the same anymore and can’t carry everything like he used to.

There's Reaves, Hachimura, Smart and Kleber. And as for the rookie, they have Knecht. These guys can switch roles just for adjustment.

Knecht hasn't been given playing time by Reddick, so not sure if he will be played in the playoff. Just like what others have said, it's very dishearten for Lakers fans to see and hear what had happened to Luka. They are building a momentum entering playoff, but suddenly, this accident happen. So this is a bad timing for them and very hard to win their 1st round playoff without Reaves and Luka. Lebron will have to dig deeper and I don't think that he still has that inside of him at this point in his career. The best thing they can do is to extend the series against any team in the 1st round so that they can buy time for Luka to come back.

[Stavri]

A tentative return date of May 1st is being given for Doncic. They won’t risk him during the regular season and are trying to get him ready for the playoffs. However, there’s a high probability he might miss the post season entirely and sit out the rest of the year.
Regarding the MVP and All NBA first team honors, i think the NBA organization will find a way to work around that one missing game. in my opinion, he's earned it through and through.

[jaberwock]

Missing this many games means that Lakers would have to rely on a 42 year old Lebron, and Reaves along with him. I am pretty sure that's not going to work out at all. This reminds me of the famous Lakers where Kobe took them to playoffs, and then tore his ACL and never came back good again.

It's clear that we are not going to see Doncic do anything good and we should not be considering how they could recover and do good enough until he comes. It's clear that they are going to rest everyone until the playoffs, and hope that they can all be good come playoff time.

[arwin100]

A tentative return date of May 1st is being given for Doncic. They won’t risk him during the regular season and are trying to get him ready for the playoffs. However, there’s a high probability he might miss the post season entirely and sit out the rest of the year.
Regarding the MVP and All NBA first team honors, i think the NBA organization will find a way to work around that one missing game. in my opinion, he's earned it through and through.

That's good and better follow the timeline rather than risking his health, they are sure to go on playoffs so nothing to rush in this scene. What's important for them is he could go back on first round, but everything will depends on how fast his recovery process.

This is though for Lakers since Luka is huge performer for their team. Without him on first round this will be so tough especially that they can't rely much on Lebron and Reaves.

Well if they change it maybe its good, since as they can see there are great players deserve to get awards but unfortunately that 65 games requirements is big hurdle for them.

[Finestream]

Even with Reaves playing they need a miracle to beat either Rockets...

no more hope for the lakers as Reaves is also out, just reported today.

Austin Reaves (oblique) joins Luka Dončić among injured Lakers: Where does Los Angeles go from here?

The bad news just keeps coming for the Los Angeles Lakers. The team announced Saturday that guard Austin Reaves will miss the remainder of the regular season after being diagnosed with a Grade 2 oblique strain. The injury is expected to sideline Reaves for 4-6 weeks, per ESPN, which means he could miss the entire first round of the playoffs, which begins April 18.

So the Lakers are really in a bad spot right now. LeBron is pretty much the only one left, and it’s hard to see them winning the first round with that situation.
The hype around LeBron isn’t the same anymore, and people are being more realistic now. Whoever they face, it feels like they could get swept.

[Stavri]

A tentative return date of May 1st is being given for Doncic. They won’t risk him during the regular season and are trying to get him ready for the playoffs. However, there’s a high probability he might miss the post season entirely and sit out the rest of the year.
Regarding the MVP and All NBA first team honors, i think the NBA organization will find a way to work around that one missing game. in my opinion, he's earned it through and through.

That's good and better follow the timeline rather than risking his health, they are sure to go on playoffs so nothing to rush in this scene. What's important for them is he could go back on first round, but everything will depends on how fast his recovery process.

This is though for Lakers since Luka is huge performer for their team. Without him on first round this will be so tough especially that they can't rely much on Lebron and Reaves.

Well if they change it maybe its good, since as they can see there are great players deserve to get awards but unfortunately that 65 games requirements is big hurdle for them.

Lakers definitely shouldn't take any risks with this year's playoffs in mind. As they stand, the Lakers have no chance of competing with OKC and the Spurs. That's why they need to protect the core player of their future team without taking any risks.

[kizilhare]

 Denver-San Antonio game felt like a true NBA Finals match. It was incredibly competitive, with a Jokic-Wemby duel. The game ended 124-124 in regulation. Denver scored two more points in overtime and won 136-134. It was a match worthy of its name. There were no surprises in the other games of the night. The favorites easily defeated teams with no specific objective. It will be difficult to see such competitive matches until the playoffs.

[Velvet78]

Lakers are really finished in playoffs now. Doncic out, Reaves out... They are so unlucky with injuries just before the end of regular season. Probably they will say quite an early goodbye to playoffs.


I really loved watching the duel between Jokic and Wembanyama last night. Especially one of Jokic's shot over him was so lovely... After watching this game, I just started hoping for a playoff series between these 2 teams.

It would be so much fun as it seems.

[el kaka22]

Lakers can't "figure out a way", not all teams do, and sometimes they just straight up lose because of injured players and that's normal. There has been a million times in NBA where a team looked decent, but then lost a player and just then lost the entire season out.

Doncic being out means that Lakers will lose, and they will be either going down the seed rank and lose on the first round or they could get lucky and lose on the second round, that's it. Which is why there is no hope for Lakers for this season, we should just consider this season as gone for them. They only can hope for the future, Doncic is there for long time, Lebron may not get any younger, but Doncic is great, so they have to hope for the future.

[Distraction]

Lakers can't "figure out a way", not all teams do, and sometimes they just straight up lose because of injured players and that's normal. There has been a million times in NBA where a team looked decent, but then lost a player and just then lost the entire season out.

Doncic being out means that Lakers will lose, and they will be either going down the seed rank and lose on the first round or they could get lucky and lose on the second round, that's it. Which is why there is no hope for Lakers for this season, we should just consider this season as gone for them. They only can hope for the future, Doncic is there for long time, Lebron may not get any younger, but Doncic is great, so they have to hope for the future.

Yeah and how can Lakers even figure out a way? Right after losing 2 crucial players from their starting five! 

I don't expect LeBron to save them by doing 3-man work at the age of 41. Even in his prime it wouldn't be easy to do that.

I wasn't expecting Lakers to be champions of course. But there might be some chance for conference finals if it weren't for the injuries...

[danherbias07]

A tip or a trap?

Cavs shorthanded, How To Watch Indiana Pacers-Cleveland Cavaliers, Lineups, Injury Report, Betting Lines & More
https://www.si.com/nba/pacers/onsi/news/cavs-shorthanded-how-to-watch-indiana-pacers-cleveland-cavaliers-lineups-injury-report-betting-lines-more-01knfe6zykxm


According to the injury report, Merrill, Allen, Mobley, and Wade will not play. Despite that, the Cavaliers are still at -15.5. Well, I would not disagree with that, considering how weak the Pacers are now. No Siakam, Nesmith, and Nembhard. Obi Toppin and Sheppard are both questionable to play.

With the Cavs still having Mitchell as their offensive key, I think they are still going to win this. The question is whether the spread will be covered, especially when garbage time comes, and the bench plays poorly.

[tabas]

That's true, if it's comparing both players Austin and Luka, we know that Luka can carry a team. While for Reaves, he's a good support and back up for the team. I think if it's with Lebron, he's going to be the leader and play maker and not the scoring machine. He can let that work on for the younger ones while him leading the team on how to play against their opponents. But let's see, if Luka will come back once he's healed when the important games have come.

LeBron needs to carry the load while both Luka and Austin are resting, just like what you mentioned in terms of carrying Luka already made that before with role players who can connect with the type of his game he'll be able to manage to push the team to the limits, hopefully he'll be back as they've got better chances to move forward if he and the rest of the Lakers will jive their game together and win their way to reach the finals.

We can only wish them to get back on the right time as the important games are ahead. And despite with the handicap that the Lakers are facing right now, they still have a good odds against the Dallas Mavericks later. As for the team itself, I know that there will be talents that will be uncovered because of this situation that they're facing. The transition is also changing from Lebron as the face of the team, to Luka.

[CLS63]

Lakers can't "figure out a way", not all teams do, and sometimes they just straight up lose because of injured players and that's normal. There has been a million times in NBA where a team looked decent, but then lost a player and just then lost the entire season out.

Doncic being out means that Lakers will lose, and they will be either going down the seed rank and lose on the first round or they could get lucky and lose on the second round, that's it. Which is why there is no hope for Lakers for this season, we should just consider this season as gone for them. They only can hope for the future, Doncic is there for long time, Lebron may not get any younger, but Doncic is great, so they have to hope for the future.

I also think it is a dead end for them at this point. Even losing Doncic was enough to weaken them very seriously. And now with Reaves' injury added into it they are just done for.

This is technically the last season for LeBron at Lakers as well. I guess he is finally leaving instead of staying for a longer time period. But at least he won a championship with Lakers too in 2020.

[EFS]

Almost every team is playing today, but the TV is only broadcasting the last game. It's probably going to be like the 50th Rockets game this season, but I'm not complaining since Alpi is playing on a team that still has at least a chance for the title.

Steph might return for the Warriors in this game, but they may not rush him. It's been 27 games since he last played. After their recent losses, it looks certain the Warriors will finish the regular season in 10th place. They might play him in the last 2-3 games to get his rhythm back. I'm expecting the Rockets to win tonight.

[LogitechMouse]

Even with Reaves playing they need a miracle to beat either Rockets...

no more hope for the lakers as Reaves is also out, just reported today.

Austin Reaves (oblique) joins Luka Dončić among injured Lakers: Where does Los Angeles go from here?

The bad news just keeps coming for the Los Angeles Lakers. The team announced Saturday that guard Austin Reaves will miss the remainder of the regular season after being diagnosed with a Grade 2 oblique strain. The injury is expected to sideline Reaves for 4-6 weeks, per ESPN, which means he could miss the entire first round of the playoffs, which begins April 18.

So the Lakers are really in a bad spot right now. LeBron is pretty much the only one left, and it’s hard to see them winning the first round with that situation.
The hype around LeBron isn’t the same anymore, and people are being more realistic now. Whoever they face, it feels like they could get swept.

It's just a bit unfortunate that the Lakers lost every hope that they have for the playoffs in just a span of 24 hours.

When Luka is out, the Lakers are around 7-6, but throughout the whole regular season, the team hasn't played when both Luka and Reaves are out on the same time. This is the first time that the Lakers will play without their 2 starting guards, and it happened in the worst possible time because we are on the post-season already.

With both Luka and Reaves out, I will not be surprised if either the Rockets or the Timberwolves will try and get that 6th seed to face them. I mean it would be better to face an undermanned Lakers than the fully prepared Nuggets in the first round, right? Both of them will be trying to avoid the Nuggets and try to face the Lakers. Whether it's the Rockets or the Timberwolves, I don't think that the Lakers are capable of defeating them, and we know that Lebron can't carry a team anymore because... he's old. I wonder who will step up on offense for the team. I can't think of anybody TBH.

[terrific]

A tentative return date of May 1st is being given for Doncic. They won’t risk him during the regular season and are trying to get him ready for the playoffs. However, there’s a high probability he might miss the post season entirely and sit out the rest of the year.
Regarding the MVP and All NBA first team honors, i think the NBA organization will find a way to work around that one missing game. in my opinion, he's earned it through and through.

That's good to know that he's going to be back after a month.
So that basically shows that it is enough for him to take a rest for this period of time given to him.
Risking him to play now might result to a worst case scenario even if he pleads to play and help the team.
He's needed most for that period rather than this time of putting his health and the team in high risk.

[LogitechMouse]

Almost every team is playing today, but the TV is only broadcasting the last game. It's probably going to be like the 50th Rockets game this season, but I'm not complaining since Alpi is playing on a team that still has at least a chance for the title.

Steph might return for the Warriors in this game, but they may not rush him. It's been 27 games since he last played. After their recent losses, it looks certain the Warriors will finish the regular season in 10th place. They might play him in the last 2-3 games to get his rhythm back. I'm expecting the Rockets to win tonight.

Looking at the standings, they're 3.5 games below the Blazers who's on the 9th spot right now, and even though they clinch the play-in, I don't think that they'll be able to defeat the Blazers TBH. They're very undermanned, and ever since Steph didn't play, the team got dysfunctional. For me, I think it's better to just lose against the Blazers, and become a lottery team for the upcoming draft night.

As for the Rockets, looking at their standings, it seems like they'll be the 5th seed 4th at best if the Lakers continue to lose in their remaining games. There's still a chance that the Nuggets will end up in the 3rd, Rockets in the 4th and the Lakers in 5th, and if you're Houston, matching up with the Lakers in the first round is better than facing the Nuggets. The only problem for them is that, whether they'll be ending up in the 4th seed or 5th seed, they'll be facing the Thunder in the 2nd round.

[Fredomago]

That's true, if it's comparing both players Austin and Luka, we know that Luka can carry a team. While for Reaves, he's a good support and back up for the team. I think if it's with Lebron, he's going to be the leader and play maker and not the scoring machine. He can let that work on for the younger ones while him leading the team on how to play against their opponents. But let's see, if Luka will come back once he's healed when the important games have come.

LeBron needs to carry the load while both Luka and Austin are resting, just like what you mentioned in terms of carrying Luka already made that before with role players who can connect with the type of his game he'll be able to manage to push the team to the limits, hopefully he'll be back as they've got better chances to move forward if he and the rest of the Lakers will jive their game together and win their way to reach the finals.

We can only wish them to get back on the right time as the important games are ahead. And despite with the handicap that the Lakers are facing right now, they still have a good odds against the Dallas Mavericks later. As for the team itself, I know that there will be talents that will be uncovered because of this situation that they're facing. The transition is also changing from Lebron as the face of the team, to Luka.

Though we've seen LeBron taking the charge leading the Lakers but support ain't enough to help him to win the game, as Cooper Flagg take that challenge from the king and lead the Mavs to win the game, a short-handed Lakers unable to push the win and same with what you have said, hoping that Luka and Austin make their comeback during the playoffs though their standing or spot might be in the crucial position and moving to the 2nd round will be difficult as the west side are full of heavy weights super teams.

[yenerbatmaz]

 Lakers' struggles without Doncic were evident in the Dallas game. They lost 134-128 to Dallas, a team that has been struggling lately. LeBron scored 30 points and dished out 15 assists. If he had grabbed one more rebound, he would have further improved his record for oldest player to record a triple-double, but it didn't happen.