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NBAFeature
Marcus Smart Explains How Luka Doncicâs Absence is Actually Helping Lakers
TL;DR
The Los Angeles Lakers are advancing in the playoffs without Luka Doncic, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury. Marcus Smart believes Doncic's absence is benefiting the Lakers' performance as they prepare for the Oklahoma City Thunder in the semifinals.
Key points
- Luka Doncic is out with a Grade 2 hamstring strain.
- Austin Reaves returned for Game 5 after an oblique strain.
- Marcus Smart believes Doncic's absence helps the Lakers.
Los Angeles LakersHouston RocketsOklahoma City Thunder
The Los Angeles Lakers are navigating the playoffs without superstar Luka Doncic, who has been out since April 2 with a Grade 2 hamstring strain.
The Lakers were playing without both Doncic and guard Austin Reaves until Game 5 of the first-round series against the Houston Rockets. Reaves returned for Game 5 after suffering a Grade 2 oblique strain on April 2 but Doncic is still out.
As the Lakers prepare to take on defending NBA champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, in the Western Conference semifinals, veteran guard Marcus Smart explained how Doncicâs absence has actually helped the Lakers succeed in the playoffs.
Apr 26, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) defends against Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart (36) during the third quarter during game four of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
âWhen you got your two players (Doncic and Reaves), top dogs, and one of them comes back but you still got one out, itâs a sense of heightness for everybody in every aspect of our game. We donât have a guy that you can lean on and just throw the ball to, go one-on-one then get a bucket. So everybody has to pick up one everything that they do.
Q&A
How is Luka Doncic's injury affecting the Lakers' playoff performance?
Luka Doncic's absence is believed to be helping the Lakers succeed in the playoffs, according to Marcus Smart.
What injury does Luka Doncic have and when did it occur?
Luka Doncic has a Grade 2 hamstring strain that he sustained on April 2.
Who did the Lakers face in the first round of the playoffs?
The Lakers faced the Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs.
