Austin Reaves Ruled Out for Rest of Regular Season With Oblique Injury
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LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers said Saturday that guard Austin Reaves has a Grade 2 strain of his left oblique muscle and will sit out the team’s final five regular-season games.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, medical projections place Reaves’ recovery at four to six weeks, putting his availability for the start of the NBA playoffs in question.
Reaves underwent an MRI after Thursday’s loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, a game in which he was visibly limited. Although the 27-year-old downplayed the issue postgame, imaging revealed a significant injury that requires immediate shutdown.
The setback compounds Los Angeles’ backcourt problems. Luka Doncic is also sidelined for the remainder of the regular season with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, and Marcus Smart remains out with an undisclosed issue. Head coach JJ Redick is now left with Bronny James, Nick Smith Jr. and Kobe Bufkin as his primary healthy guards, while LeBron James is expected to handle additional playmaking duties.
Los Angeles has already clinched a postseason berth, easing pressure to rush rehabs. Team officials said Reaves and Doncic will be given as much time as necessary to return at full strength.
Source: LakersNation.com
