The Los Angeles Lakers’ worst nightmare has turned into reality. Following an MRI on Friday, the medical staff announced that Luka Doncic has a Grade II hamstring injury. This means he will be out of action for at least a month. Simply put, Doncic won’t be suiting up for them in the postseason. Now, this, according to Draymond Green, will have a domino effect. Precisely for Austin Reaves, his life in the playoffs is not going to be easy.

On the Draymond Green Show, the Warriors veteran shared his opinion on the after-effect of Luka’s injury.  According to the 36-year-old, this is bad timing for Austin Reaves because of matchups. If the Lakers face the Houston Rockets, Amen Thompson will likely guard Reaves. Normally, Reaves might face easier defenders like Tari Eason, Reed Sheppard, or Jabari Smith Jr. But without Luka, the defensive pressure will shift, making AR’s job much harder in the playoffs.

“So, if you’re Austin Reaves, this sucks because you’re about to go into a playoff series and your matchup is going to be Amen Thompson, as opposed to Reed Sheppard or those guys. And it’s a completely different thing,” Draymond said. “So, if you’re Austin Reaves and you go into these playoffs and you got Amen Thompson and it doesn’t go well, then what does that look like for you? And so, this injury could have a large domino effect.”

When Amen Thompson will pick on Austin Reaves, things will get uncomfortable real quick. Reaves is already sitting at a 117.9 defensive rating, which hints at vulnerabilities, while Thompson at 113.5 brings way more bite on that end.

Sure, Tari Eason (111.5) and Reed Sheppard (112.0) are solid, and Jabari Smith Jr. (114.1) holds his own, but Thompson plays like an unstoppable force. He’s faster, more physical, and always in your space. That means more difficult shots, rushed decisions, and a long night for the 28-year-old.

Then comes the Luka Doncic factor, or lack thereof. Luka’s 113.8 defensive rating keeps things stable even when he’s running the offence. Without him, that equation will shift as matchups tighten, leaving the defence vulnerable. AR’s workload will suddenly increase significantly. More pressure, more attention on him, and fewer easy moments.

“I believe LeBron is capable of controlling possessions, managing a game, and getting everything he wants out of it. Unfortunately, losing Luka Doncic is a significant loss for this team, which has not played as well as it could. “They’ve played around Luka, so it changes things,” Draymond Green explained. “So, I believe this injury is massive, and it has a huge domino effect. Hopefully it isn’t too bad. Hopefully, Luka will be back in a few weeks, but things aren’t looking good for the Los Angeles Lakers. This is a big, big, big issue.”

Most analysts have been harsh on the Lakers since their 96-139 loss to the Thunder on Thursday. Furthermore, with Luka’s injury, the playoff picture appears bleak. To be honest, they know it a little better than an expert saying it out loud. However, Draymond has a different opinion.

Austin Reaves & Co. deserve an opportunity before such scathing decisions

The Los Angeles Lakers could struggle badly if Luka Doncic misses significant time before the playoffs. Because of that risk, the situation becomes bigger than just short-term results. It forces the team and fans to think ahead and worry about how this stretch could shape the Lakers’ future decisions. Moreover, the team is entering a crucial phase.

They are reportedly preparing to hand Austin Reaves a massive 5-year, $24o million extension this offseason. Meanwhile, LeBron James could hit free agency, whether he’ll play another season or not, nobody knows. Because of this uncertainty, the team needs clarity soon to decide how to shape its future roster. “But if you don’t get the proper opportunity to see this team in the playoffs, how do you properly judge what the future of this team should look like when you have to ponder paying Austin Reaves $240 million?” Draymond asked.

“You have to ponder what it is that you’re going to agree to with LeBron. Was he willing to take what you have to do? All those things. And quite frankly, I don’t know that you can make the best possible decision if you don’t see the team in the playoffs,” Green added. In simple terms, the Lakers deserve an opportunity at the playoffs. Especially, AR, because he is going to receive an extension at the end of the season. And his performance could define his career with LA.

This is where things get real for the Los Angeles Lakers. Without Luka Doncic, the pressure only gets heavier, and the flaws feel louder. At the same time, Austin Reaves is staring at a defining playoff moment. But things could take a turn for him once better defense picks him. However, before writing this team off, they need one fair run to show what they are.