The Los Angeles Lakers will be without guard Austin Reaves for at least four weeks after the team diagnosed him with a grade 2 left calf strain suffered on Christmas Day.
Reaves, who had been managing calf discomfort for several weeks, exited the holiday matchup at halftime and did not return. The club announced that the 26-year-old will be re-evaluated after a month of treatment and rehabilitation.
Redick feels for injured guard
Head coach JJ Redick said he sympathizes with Reaves’ situation, describing the guard’s extended absence as a difficult emotional hurdle.
“I’m bummed for him,” Redick told reporters. “When you have an injury that keeps you out longer than a week, there’s a bit of a grieving process, and it’s important to respect that.”
Asked how the setback affects the club, Redick noted that Los Angeles has been navigating injuries all season. “We’ve had guys out—Bron was out the first four weeks—so the message doesn’t change. We need every available player giving his best if we want to win,” he said.
Calf injuries under close watch
Calf strains have become a league-wide concern because they can precede Achilles issues. San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama, for example, is still on a minutes limit after missing several weeks with a similar problem.
Filling the scoring gap
Reaves is the Lakers’ second-leading scorer at 26.6 points per game. With him out, Luka Doncic and LeBron James are expected to carry a heavier offensive load, while Deandre Ayton and Rui Hachimura are likely to see increased touches. Bench production has been scarce throughout the season, and Los Angeles enters its next contest on a three-game slide.
Support from Doncic
Doncic, who suffered a calf strain on Christmas Day last season with Dallas, offered encouragement to his backcourt partner and expressed hope Reaves can return around the four-week mark.
Source: Lakers Nation
