DHJ Quick Take
- Injury Return: Austin Reaves is expected to make his first appearance since April 2, having missed nearly four weeks due to a Grade 2 left oblique strain.
- Game Status: Although the team is optimistic about his return in Game 5, he will officially be a game-time decision for the third consecutive contest.
- Playoff Impact: His return comes as the Lakers, leading the series 3–1, look to close out the Rockets at home and advance to the second round.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves could play against the Houston Rockets in Game 5 on Wednesday, according to Shams Charania of ESPN.
Reaves will be a game-time decision for the third consecutive contest, but the Lakers are optimistic the undrafted shooting guard will play for the first time since April 2.
Reaves is healing from a Grade 2 left oblique strain. He got hurt on April 2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Reaves put up 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists per contest this season for the Lakers, who are up 3-1 against the Rockets. He shot 49.0% from the floor, 36.0% from beyond the arc and 87.1% from the foul line.
Reaves is expected to decline his player option for next season and become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. The talented scorer and playmaker is widely expected to re-sign with Los Angeles.
If the Lakers beat the Rockets in the first round, they will face the Thunder in the second round. The Thunder swept the Phoenix Suns in the first round.
Reaves has spent his entire NBA career with the Lakers. He holds career averages of 15.8 points, 3.9 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game.
Latest NBA News & Rumors At Dallas Hoops Journal
- Miami Heat President Pat Riley Not Retiring, Plans To Keep Building Around Bam Adebayo
- Damian Lillard Could Play In 2026 NBA Playoffs; Portland Trail Blazers Prepared To Make Offseason Pitch For Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Atlanta Hawks’ Nickeil Alexander-Walker Wins NBA Most Improved Player Of The Year Award: ‘Each Day Was Like A Process’
- Milwaukee Bucks Hire Taylor Jenkins; Giannis Antetokounmpo Hasn’t Spoken To Upper Brass Since Trade Deadline
- Steve Kerr’s Social, Political Outspokenness Has Caused Internal Frustrations Within Golden State Warriors
- Karl-Anthony Towns Doesn’t Want New York Knicks To Trade Him: ‘He Wants To Be A Knick For Life’
- Los Angeles Lakers’ JJ Redick Blames ‘Media Momentum’ After Luka Dončić Misses Out On NBA MVP Finalist Spot
- San Antonio Spurs’ Keldon Johnson Wins NBA Sixth Man Of The Year Award: ‘It Hasn’t Always Been Easy’
- Golden State Warriors Expected To Pursue LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard This Offseason
- Cleveland Cavaliers Could Trade Donovan Mitchell If He Doesn’t Sign Extension
- Luka Dončić Enjoys Playing With LeBron James; Lakers, Cavaliers, Warriors Interested In The King
- Ja Morant Told Players, Former Coaches He’s Done Playing For Memphis Grizzlies
