The Los Angeles Lakers will have an opportunity to take on the Houston Rockets after taking a 3-0 lead in the first round series of the NBA playoffs.
The Lakers have had success in the postseason without Luka Doncic, who has missed time with a hamstring injury.
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He suffered the injury in a blowout loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 2. He has not played any game since then.
Doncic led the NBA in points per game this season with 33.5. He was third with 8.3 assists per game.
The Lakers have not won a playoff series since defeating the Utah Jazz 4–0 in the 2009–10 Western Conference Semifinals.
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The best kicks of the NBA playoffs as stars show off their sneaker style
The NBA Playoffs bring more stakes than just basketball, as stars showcase their sneaker styles on the league’s biggest stage.
Check out the best kicks worn during the 2026 NBA Playoffs, where the shoes have become part of the spotlight.
Above, the shoes of Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks are seen during the first half of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026 in New York City.
1 / 9
The best kicks of the NBA playoffs as stars show off their sneaker style
The NBA Playoffs bring more stakes than just basketball, as stars showcase their sneaker styles on the league’s biggest stage.
Check out the best kicks worn during the 2026 NBA Playoffs, where the shoes have become part of the spotlight.
Above, the shoes of Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks are seen during the first half of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026 in New York City.
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The best kicks of the NBA playoffs as stars show off their sneaker style
The shoes of Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks are seen before Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026 in New York City.
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The best kicks of the NBA playoffs as stars show off their sneaker style
The shoes of Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks are seen during the third quarter of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026 in New York City.
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The best kicks of the NBA playoffs as stars show off their sneaker style
Shoes worn by Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first quarter during Game One of the first round of the NBA Western Conference playoffs at Ball Arena on April 18, 2026 in Denver, Colorado.
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The best kicks of the NBA playoffs as stars show off their sneaker style
Nike LeBron XXIII shoes worn by Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) against the Houston Rockets in the first half during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena.
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The best kicks of the NBA playoffs as stars show off their sneaker style
Shoes worn by Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves against the Denver Nuggets in the first quarter during Game One of the first round of the NBA Western Conference playoffs at Ball Arena on April 18, 2026 in Denver, Colorado.
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The best kicks of the NBA playoffs as stars show off their sneaker style
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 18: The shoes of Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks are seen during the first half of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026 in New York City. Note to User: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading or using this photograph, User is agreeing to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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The best kicks of the NBA playoffs as stars show off their sneaker style
The shoes of Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks are seen during the third quarter of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026 in New York City.
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The best kicks of the NBA playoffs as stars show off their sneaker style
The shoes of Jonathan Kuminga #0 of the Atlanta Hawks are seen during the third quarter of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026 in New York City.
Will Luka Doncic play Game 4 for the Lakers?
Doncic was ruled out of Game 4 by the Lakers on Sunday, April 26. He was with the team in Houston on Friday.
When do the Lakers play next?
The Lakers will play the Houston Rockets on Sunday, April 26 at 6:30 pm PT (9:30 pm ET). The game will be streamed on Peacock.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Luka Doncic injury: Lakers star out for Game 4 vs. Rockets
