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Lakers star Luka Doncic goes through court drills before potential return: ‘Soon’

Nypost · · 361 words · By Khobi Price
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What to know about Lakers star Luka Doncic goes through court drills before potential return: ‘Soon’

There hasn’t been an official update on the timeline for Luka Doncic’s return to the court — but there was an encouraging sign before the Lakers traveled to Houston.

Claims checked 9
Techniques found 0
Topics 0

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage
Left0%
Center80%
Right20%

5 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

There hasn’t been an official update on the timeline for Luka Doncic’s return to the court — but there was an encouraging sign before the Lakers traveled to Houston.

Why it matters

Doncic was seen going through light shooting drills with assistant coach Greg St.

Common ground

Jean and head video coordinator Michael Wexler after the Lakers’ practice on Thursday before they left Southern California for Game 3 and Game 4 of the best-of-seven first round playoff series against the Rockets.

Perspective signals

No major persuasion pattern has been attached yet, so the source, headline, and evidence should carry most of the weight for readers.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://nypost.com/2026/04/23/sports/lakers-luka-doncic-does-light-shooting-dril…

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 9 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

info Single Source 6
check_circle Corroborated 3
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Claim 1: “Doncic (Grade 2 left hamstring strain) and Reaves (Grade 2 left oblique strain) both suffered regular season-ending injuries in the April 2 loss to the Thunder.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results explicitly state that Doncic suffered a Grade 2 left hamstring strain and Reaves suffered a Grade 2 left oblique strain, both sustained during the April 2 loss to the Thunder.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2025 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's (NBA) 2024–25 season. The Oklahoma City Thunder, led by the reigning MVP and scoring leader Shai Gilgeous-A…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_NBA_playoffs
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Luka Dončić–Anthony Davis trade was a National Basketball Association (NBA) trade made on the night of February 1–2, 2025, which saw Luka Dončić traded from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luka_Dončić–Anthony_Davis_trad…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Cormac Karl "Max" Christie Jr. (born February 10, 2003) is an American professional basketball player for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketbal…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Christie
+ 3 more evidence sources
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Claim 2: “The Lakers are up 2-0 in their playoff series over the Rockets.”
CORROBORATED
Two cross-reference sources explicitly state the Lakers had a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series against the Rockets. Wikipedia entries confirm the Lakers and Rockets are involved in playoff contexts.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2025–26 Houston Rockets season is the 59th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and 55th season in the city of Houston. On June 22, 2025, the Rockets announced a tr…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025–26_Houston_Rockets_season
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2025–26 Los Angeles Lakers season is the ongoing 79th season of the franchise, its 78th season in the National Basketball Association (NBA), its 66th season in Los Angeles, and its 27th season pla…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025–26_Los_Angeles_Lakers_sea…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles. The Lakers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division of the Wes…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Lakers
+ 2 more evidence sources
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Claim 3: “Coach JJ Redick said before Tuesday’s Game 2 win over the Rockets that there wasn’t an update on the timeline for Doncic or fellow injured star guard Austin Reaves, adding that Doncic was going to start court work “soon”.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results cite JJ Redick stating that Doncic would start court work 'soon' and that there was no change in the timeline for either Doncic or Reaves. This is reported across multiple search snippets.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2024 NBA Finals was the championship series of the National Basketball Association's (NBA) 2023–24 season and conclusion to the season's playoffs. In the best-of-seven playoffs series, the Eastern…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_NBA_Finals
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2024–25 NBA season was the 79th season of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The regular season began on October 22, 2024, and ended on April 13, 2025. The NBA held an in-season tournament…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024–25_NBA_season
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Jonathan Clay "JJ" Redick ( RED-ik) (born June 24, 1984) is an American professional basketball coach and former player who is the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Assoc…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JJ_Redick
+ 3 more evidence sources
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Claim 4: “Reaves has been seen doing court work over the last week.”
SINGLE SOURCE
While the web search results confirm Austin Reaves' profile and general news, none of the provided evidence explicitly state that he 'has been seen doing court work over the last week.'
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web search NEUTRAL — Austin Tyler Reaves is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association. He played college basketball for the Wichita State Shockers and the…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austin_Reaves
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web search NEUTRAL — View the profile of Los Angeles Lakers Guard Austin Reaves on ESPN. Get the latest news, live stats and game highlights.
https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4066457/austin-reaves
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web search NEUTRAL — About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FG5v0DQkL50
info
Claim 5: “Later in the session, took standstill 3-pointers.”
SINGLE SOURCE
One web search result mentions Doncic hitting a 3-pointer, but no other independent sources corroborate the specific practice of 'standstill 3-pointers' later in the session.
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web search NEUTRAL — Angeles Clippers.[167] Three days later against the Clippers, Dončić scored 23 of his 45 points in the fourth quarter, grabbed 15 rebounds, and dished out eight assists in a 99–97 loss.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luka_Dončić
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web search NEUTRAL — In honor of his 25th birthday today, take a look at Luka Doncic’s top 25 plays throughout his career so far! Never miss a moment with the latest news, trendi...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dO14Pt11sE8
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web search NEUTRAL — The possession continued, and a few seconds later Doncic hit the aforementioned 3-pointer to put Dallas up seven. Obviously a 3-pointer that never should've been attempted is a big deal in a two-point…
https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/stephen-curry-luka-doncic…
info
Claim 6: “Since the NBA moved to a 16-team playoff format in 1984, teams that go up 2-0 in a series under the 2-2-1-1-1 home/away pattern have a 245-23 record (91.4% winning percentage of the series).”
SINGLE SOURCE
The claim cites a specific record (245-23) and percentage (91.4%) related to the 2-2-1-1-1 pattern since 1984. While multiple sources discuss NBA playoff history and formats, this specific statistical claim is not corroborated by multiple independent sources within the provided evidence.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2026 NBA playoffs is the ongoing postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 2025–26 season. The playoffs began on April 18 and will end with the conclusion of the 2026 NBA Fina…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_NBA_playoffs
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2025–26 NBA season is the 80th season of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The regular season began on October 21, 2025 and ended on April 12, 2026. The third edition of the in-season NBA…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025–26_NBA_season
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2024 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's (NBA) 2023–24 season. The playoffs began on April 20 and concluded on June 17 with the Boston Celtics winni…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_NBA_playoffs
+ 3 more evidence sources
info
Claim 7: “Doncic was seen going through light shooting drills with assistant coach Greg St. Jean and head video coordinator Michael Wexler after the Lakers’ practice on Thursday before they left Southern California for Game 3 and Game 4 of the best-of-seven first round playoff series against the Rockets.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The web search results mention Doncic participating in shooting drills after practice, but none of the provided sources specify the exact context of 'Thursday before they left Southern California for Game 3 and Game 4' or name Greg St. Jean and Michael Wexler as participants. The evidence is limited to general reports of him participating in shooting drills.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2021–22 Dallas Mavericks season was the 42nd season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA). For the first time since 2007–08, Rick Carlisle would not be the head coach of th…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021–22_Dallas_Mavericks_seaso…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2022–23 Dallas Mavericks season was the 43rd season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Despite being 31–26 and being fifth place in the Western Conference in February, …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022–23_Dallas_Mavericks_seaso…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2024–25 Los Angeles Lakers season was the 78th season of the franchise, its 77th season in the National Basketball Association (NBA), its 65th season in Los Angeles, and its 26th season playing ho…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024–25_Los_Angeles_Lakers_sea…
+ 3 more evidence sources
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Claim 8: “At one point, Doncic gingerly took two right-handed drills while shuffling to his right side before shooting a jump shot inside the free throw arc.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The claim is directly supported by one web search result describing the drill, but no other independent sources corroborate this specific detail.
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web search NEUTRAL — At one point, Doncic gingerly took two right-handed drills while shuffling to his right side before shooting a jump shot inside the free throw arc.
https://nypost.com/2026/04/23/sports/lakers-luka-doncic-does…
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web search NEUTRAL — We need answers. What is Luka working on here?#lukadoncic #basketballtraining #jumpshot #basketball #nba
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/dJObnsBOyFw
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web search NEUTRAL — Despite his incredible skill, Dončić's shooting stats show room for improvement: he averages 34% from three-point range, 74% from the free-throw line, and 47% in field goals. Can Luka Dončić take his …
https://www.tiktok.com/@richards_skills/video/73186575155148…
info
Claim 9: “He did this three times before repeating the drill on his left side.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The web search results do not contain information confirming that Doncic repeated the right-handed drill three times and then repeated it on his left side. The evidence is insufficient to confirm the repetition count or the left-side repetition.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Removing a broken bolt or stud can be extremely difficult but in some cases such as when the bolt head has been sheared off by sideways force it is possible ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYvaPbX1sT4
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web search NEUTRAL — Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic injured his left hamstring in a loss to Oklahoma City and coach JJ Redick said the league’s scoring leader will have an MRI on Friday.
https://www.foxsports.com/articles/nba/lakers-luka-doncic-hu…
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web search NEUTRAL — James will miss the Los Angeles Lakers' opening night for the first time in his career as he is sidelined by sciatica, leaving teammate Luka Doncic to lead his team's charge.
https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/sports/basketball/nba-openi…
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.