The Los Angeles Lakers have cleared guard Austin Reaves to play in Saturday night’s game against the Orlando Magic at Crypto.com Arena, the team announced in its latest injury report.
Reaves had been listed as questionable with left hip soreness but was upgraded to available on game day. The 27-year-old has been playing through several bumps and bruises, including a taped right wrist, after a string of hard falls in recent outings.
Los Angeles enters the contest riding an eight-game winning streak and holding the Western Conference’s No. 3 seed. Reaves, Luka Doncic and LeBron James logged heavy minutes during a recent back-to-back set against the Houston Rockets and Miami Heat, opting to stay on the floor despite various ailments.
Orlando arrives in Los Angeles on a three-game slide following Thursday’s lopsided loss to the Charlotte Hornets. The Magic will be without Franz Wagner, Anthony Black and Jonathan Isaac, lessening the size advantage typically provided by their front-court rotation that also features Paolo Banchero.
Lakers coaches hope Reaves can regain his shooting rhythm after fatigue appeared to affect his jumper against Houston and Miami. The Arkansas native has continued to praise James for accepting a reduced usage rate to help the roster mesh, a move teammates say has set the tone for the club’s recent surge.
Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. PT.
Source: LakersNation.com
