The Los Angeles Lakers announced Wednesday that guard Austin Reaves, sidelined for nearly four weeks with a left oblique muscle strain, has been upgraded to available for Game 5 of the first-round series against the Houston Rockets.
Reaves, 27, had been listed as questionable for Games 3 and 4 but was ruled out after pregame warmups. He carried the same designation heading into Wednesday’s matchup at Crypto.com Arena, yet team officials expressed greater optimism that he could play, a belief now confirmed.
“You have to be comfortable with your body and what you can do to go out there and help us be successful,” Reaves said after Tuesday’s practice. “I feel good and I’m trending in the right direction. Can’t wait to wake up tomorrow and attack another day.”
The guard’s absence forced head coach Darvin Ham to juggle rotations as Los Angeles struggled with ball security and offensive rhythm against Houston’s defense. Even if Reaves sees limited minutes, the Lakers expect his playmaking to relieve pressure on LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Los Angeles leads the best-of-seven series 3-1 and can advance with a victory Wednesday, eliminating a potential Game 6 in Houston on Friday. Closing out the Rockets would also grant Reaves additional recovery time before a projected second-round meeting with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Watching from the bench has been difficult for the Arkansas native. “I’ve been pretty miserable,” Reaves admitted. “Not having control on a game, just sitting over there… not really being on the court sucks.”
Reaves is expected to operate under a minutes restriction in his first appearance since April, though specific limits were not disclosed.
Source: LakersNation.com
