The Los Angeles Lakers are struggling in their first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets, with their star guard Luka Doncic still sidelined due to a hamstring strain. The Lakers coach, JJ Redick, has been asked how the team will manage Austin Reaves' role after Luke Kennard's emergence in the playoffs. Reaves and Kennard, who had an All-Star-caliber season and displayed his offensive skills while Doncick and Reaves were both sidelined, have been unable to find a formula to maximise their strengths. The team's net rating was significantly lower during their regular season when Reaves, Kennard and Doncid shared the floor together, with a minus-15.2 net rating when they were on the court at the same time in Game 5.