Why It Matters
The Los Angeles Lakers face a critical setback heading into the final stretch of the regular season. With starting guard Austin Reaves sidelined for the remainder of the schedule and potentially the early playoff rounds, the team must adjust its rotation with just five games remaining before postseason play begins.
What Happened
Reaves sustained a left oblique muscle injury and will miss an estimated four to six weeks, the team announced Saturday. The 27-year-old guard suffered the injury during the Lakers’ 139-96 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday, where he logged 27 minutes of playing time. The franchise confirmed the diagnosis following initial reports from ESPN.
Reaves has appeared in 51 games this season, averaging 23.3 points, 5.5 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per contest. The former undrafted free agent from Oklahoma and Wichita State joined the Lakers before the 2021-22 season and earned a starting role during his third year with the franchise.
By the Numbers
Reaves is averaging 23.3 points per game this season, making him one of the Lakers’ top offensive contributors. He also contributes 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds per contest across 51 appearances. The injury timeline of four to six weeks means Reaves will miss the Lakers’ final five regular-season games and could be unavailable for the opening rounds of the playoffs.
The Lakers play their final regular-season contest on April 12 against the Utah Jazz. A road game against the Dallas Mavericks is scheduled for Sunday.
Zoom Out
The Lakers announced Reaves’ injury one day after losing forward Luka Dončić to a left hamstring strain that will also keep him out for the remainder of the regular season. Dončić, who was in contention for the NBA MVP award, scored 600 points during the month of March.
Head coach JJ Redick addressed the mounting injury concerns Saturday, stating the team’s objective remains unchanged. The Lakers are pursuing the third seed in the Western Conference playoff bracket and preparing for the postseason despite the roster challenges.
What’s Next
Reaves faces a decision on his contract status during the upcoming offseason. The guard holds a player option for the 2026-27 season, and reports indicate he is likely to decline it in favor of negotiating a more lucrative extension with the franchise.
The Lakers will need to rely on their remaining backcourt depth as they complete the regular season and enter playoff competition. The team’s ability to secure a favorable playoff seed may depend on how effectively they compensate for the absence of two key contributors.