The Los Angeles Lakers are likely to begin their first-round NBA playoff series against the Houston Rockets without star guards Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves.
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Dončić will return to the U.S. this week for re-evaluation after receiving treatment in Spain for a strained left hamstring. Charania reported Dončić underwent "multiple injection treatments" in an attempt to promote faster healing.
Dončić is scheduled to rejoin the team on Friday, but no timeline for his return to play has been set. Game 1 of the series is scheduled for Saturday night.
The guard suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain just over a week ago. In the Lakers' three regular-season games against Houston, Dončić averaged 33.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 7 assists.
With both guards out, a significant scoring burden will fall to LeBron James, who averaged 22 points against the Rockets this season.