{"id":192843,"date":"2026-04-27T12:29:02","date_gmt":"2026-04-27T16:29:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=192843"},"modified":"2026-04-27T12:29:02","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T16:29:02","slug":"latest-updates-on-austin-reaves-kevin-durant-luka-doncic-kevin-huerter-when-they-will-return-to-action","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/04\/27\/latest-updates-on-austin-reaves-kevin-durant-luka-doncic-kevin-huerter-when-they-will-return-to-action\/","title":{"rendered":"Latest Updates On Austin Reaves, Kevin Durant, Luka Doncic & Kevin Huerter And When They Will Return To Action"},"content":{"rendered":"

While Joel Embiid<\/a> and Victor Wembanyama<\/a> returned to the court on Sunday,\u00a0Austin Reaves <\/a>remained out despite being questionable for the second straight game.\u00a0 When will Reaves, Kevin Durant<\/a>, and Luka Doncic<\/a> return to the court?<\/p>\n

Latest Updates On Austin Reaves, Kevin Durant, Luka Doncic, & Kevin Huerter, and When They Will Return To Action<\/h2>\n

Reaves has yet to make his 2026 NBA playoff<\/a> debut and missed his ninth straight game overall due to a Grade 2 left oblique strain. Reaves entered Game 4 of the Los Angeles Lakers<\/a>–Houston Rockets<\/a> Western Conference series as a game-time decision. But he was ultimately ruled out.<\/p>\n

On the plus side, Reaves did go through pregame warmups before being ruled out. Since the Rockets extended the series with the Lakers with a 115-96 victory on Sunday, it would be a surprise that the 26-year-old didn’t return in Game 5 on Wednesday. The Rockets dominated the Lakers last night, taking a 90-65 lead into the fourth. All five Rocket starters scored in double figures for the first time in the series, and Houston forced Los Angeles into 23 turnovers.<\/p>\n

Austin Reaves Likely To Play In Game 5?<\/h3>\n

Reaves, who was given a four-to-six week timetable to return following the injury, has been sidelined since April 2.\u00a0 Wednesday marks the 27th day since the injury. So, if Reaves is mentally ready, expect him to be on the court in Game 5, though in a limited capacity. He will likely be limited to 15-20 minutes and come off the bench when he returns.<\/p>\n

\u201cAustin and I had a conversation yesterday for a long time, and I think ultimately the athlete has to feel confidence,\u201d Coach\u00a0<\/span>JJ Redick\u00a0said on Sunday<\/a>. \u201cAnd that\u2019s always the final hurdle coming back from an injury, is the psychological component of it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The Lakers are 6-3 without Reaves over this nine-game stretch. But they have struggled offensively in the series.<\/p>\n

The Lakers are ninth of the 16 playoff teams in offensive efficiency despite making 50% of their field goal attempts and nearly 41% of their 3-point shots.\u00a0 The Lakers, who don’t shoot a ton of threes as it is, are averaging 10 treys a game on just 24.2 attempts. More significantly, they are committing 20 turnovers a game.<\/p>\n

“That’s the biggest challenge we have, just the ballhandling and downhill drivers, not having those guys,” Redick said of the absences of Reaves and Luka Doncic<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images<\/span><\/p>\n

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When Will Luka Doncic Return?<\/h4>\n

Speaking of Doncic, he doesn’t appear as close to returning as Reaves. Doncic has also been out since April 2 due to a Grade 2 hamstring injury. Doncic has shown limited progress in his recovery.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe just continues to do some stuff on the court. He was able to move today a little bit on the court. Most of the stuff has been at a n standstill. He\u2019s progressing. No update on any timeline or anything like that,\u201d<\/em> Redick said last night about Doncic’s recovery.<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, Dr. Jesse Morse, a Miami-based MD who specializes in Sports and Family Medicine, gave some hope that Doncic could return during the second round of the playoffs if the Lakers advance.<\/p>\n

“Sounds like Luka Doncic is about 10-14 days away from returning to the court,” Morse tweeted in response<\/a> to Redick’s press conference answer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Kevin Durant Could Play Again In The First Round<\/h3>\n

While the Lakers have been without Doncic and Reaves, the Rockets have been shorthanded as well. Kevin Durant<\/a> has misseGamesme 1,, 3 and, 4 and hiperformancece in Game 2 wadisastrousus with an ankle injury. Durant was efficient as a scorer against the Lakers in Game 2, tallying 23 points on 7 of 12 shooting. However, the 37-year-old grabbed six rebounds and dished out four assists, though he committed nine turnovers. Before Game 4, Shams Charania of ESPN<\/a> reported that the bone bruise in his ankle would sideline Durant for 2 to 3 weeks during the regular season. Charania added that Durant has been receiving around-the-clock treatment but has not been cleared by doctors.<\/p>\n

However, Rockets coach Ime Udoka gave a little more optimistic view following last night’s win, per Will Guillory of The Athletic.<\/p>\n

“Ime Udoka said there is still a possibility that Kevin Durant returns at some point this series,” Guillory tweeted<\/a>. “Just depends on how he feels and if they can extend the series.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Houston has struggled immensely throughout the playoffs, though they have been better in the last two games. The Rockets average 103.8 points in the series, even though they are shooting just 41.6% from the field while making 10.3 threes at 31.3%.<\/p>\n

The Rockets are 5-2 without Durant this year. So, expect Durant to be listed as questionable at best for Game 5. Tari Eason has been starting in place of Durant. Eason has had an uneven series, playing well in Games 1 and 4 while struggling in Games 2 and 3.<\/p>\n

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Other Injury Updates<\/h3>\n