Good news for the Lakers! Doncic has participated in shooting practice, releasing a key signal for a potential return in the first round.

On April 21 Beijing time, the Lakers currently lead the Rockets 1-0 in the series. Even though their two core offensive players, Doncic and Reaves, remain injured, the Lakers still secured a victory in the series opener. As Game 2 approaches, public attention has shifted to the recovery progress of these two injured backcourt players. Doncic has been sidelined since April 3 due to a Grade 2 hamstring strain, while Reaves is out with a left oblique muscle injury. Whether they can return remains one of the biggest focal points of this series.

Head coach Redick provided positive updates regarding injuries. Redick revealed that Doncic has returned to the training facility and participated in team activities. As the first-round series progresses, this also releases a crucial positive signal for the Lakers to assess his timeline for return.

“The situation is very good,” Redick stated in an interview with ESPN. “He has participated in shooting drills, completed rebounding drills, and passing exercises. Over the past three days, the team had two full-group practice sessions, and the overall atmosphere is excellent.”

This news does not confirm Doncic will play in Game 2, but it sufficiently demonstrates his injury is steadily improving. On the training day, Doncic appeared at the Lakers training facility alongside Reaves, Laravia, and Vanderbilt, participating in team-specific shooting drills.

For the Lakers, Doncic's return to team training carries significance far beyond just on-court practice. He is the team's primary offensive initiator and was in peak personal form before the injury. The Lakers have not announced an official return date. Previous recovery estimates indicated Doncic would miss at least four weeks, meaning he is likely to miss most, or even all, of the first-round games. Fortunately, the schedule for this series has generous gaps, providing more recovery time for injured players. As long as his recovery continues positively, optimism is growing that Doncic could return later in this series.

The Lakers' push for the playoffs this season inherently requires top-tier star power to break through in the West. Whenever Doncic returns, it will significantly elevate the Lakers' ceiling and championship confidence in this series.

Before Doncic and Reaves officially recover and return, the Lakers must heavily rely on LeBron James.

In Game 1, James scored 19 points, 13 assists, and 8 rebounds, leading the team comprehensively, firmly controlling the game's tempo, and guiding the depleted roster to seize the series advantage. Kennard scored a career playoff-high 27 points, Ayton posted a double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds, while Smart and Hachimura also contributed crucial offensive firepower.

The other key injured player, Reaves, is also unavailable. This season he has delivered his career-best performance, becoming a core scorer and secondary organizer for the Lakers, and is currently still resting his oblique muscle injury.

The Game 1 victory gives the Lakers some buffer, but the situation is about to change: Rockets core Durant missed the opener due to a right knee contusion. If he returns successfully, the Lakers' defensive pressure will sharply increase. Precisely because of this, the injury progress of Doncic and Reaves will directly determine the subsequent trajectory of this series.

At this stage, Redick's statement is the clearest signal currently: Doncic is recovering well and has substantially reintegrated with the team. Game 2 will become the next key observation point. Even if Doncic cannot play immediately, as long as he continues participating in training and gradually increases his workload, it will lay a solid foundation for his potential return in the latter part of the series.