Austin Reaves, the Los Angeles Lakers guard, will not be available for their first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets due to an oblique strain he sustained nearly two weeks ago. His recovery is progressing, as he was seen practicing this week, shooting in both slide sandals and sneakers. His return is estimated to be in four to six weeks, which is critical for the Lakers, as Reaves averaged 23.3 points, 5.5 assists, and shot 49% from the field during the regular season. His ability to score and facilitate plays will be missed as the Lakers aim for a deep playoff run. Meanwhile, Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks is also dealing with a hamstring strain, with a similar recovery timeline, highlighting the injury challenges faced by key players in the playoffs.