Luka Doncic Injury Update: Will Lakers' Star Play in Game 3 vs. Rockets?

The Los Angeles Lakers are on the road on Friday night as they travel to take on the Houston Rockets in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series.

Of course, the Lakers enter Friday’s game with a 2-0 series lead after defeating the Rockets at home in Game 2 on Tuesday night behind strong performances from LeBron James, Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard.

Now the series shifts to Houston for Game 3 on Friday night as the Lakers will now try to steal a victory on the road to take a commanding 3-0 series lead.

While Los Angeles is looking to steal a win on the road in Houston in Game 3, they will be without one of their star players once again.

Lakers Rule Out Luka Doncic for Game 3

Ahead of Friday’s matchup, the Lakers ruled out star guard Luka Doncic due to a left hamstring strain.

Of course, Doncic missed the last five games of the regular season due to the injury and it has also sidelined him for both games to begin their first-round series against the Rockets.

It was also reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania on Tuesday that the Lakers do not expect Doncic to return during the first round and there is still no timetable for his return.

With Doncic still sidelined for the Lakers, Kennard, Smart and Rui Hachimura could all continue to have larger roles while Los Angeles will likely rely on James to carry the load offensively.

While the Lakers will still be without Doncic in Game 3, they did receive some positive news regarding Austin Reaves’ injury ahead of Friday’s matchup as they have listed the star guard as questionable.

Of course, Reaves has missed the last seven games due to a left oblique strain but it appears as though he is nearing a return, which could come as soon as Friday night, which would be a massive boost for the Lakers, especially on the offensive end.

Fans can catch Game 3 of the first-round series between the Lakers and Rockets from Houston on Friday night at 8:00 p.m. ET on Amazon Prime Video.