JJ Redick Anticipates Austin Reaves’ Return During Lakers’ Road Trip
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The Los Angeles Lakers expect guard Austin Reaves to rejoin the lineup before the end of the team’s current road trip, head coach JJ Redick said Thursday.
Reaves, 27, has missed the past three games with a mild groin strain suffered Oct. 29 in a victory over the Miami Heat. Although he completed that contest, subsequent imaging confirmed the injury, and the club has held him out as a precaution.
“His pain is really low right now,” Redick told reporters before Friday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks. “Given the nature of a potential more serious injury to that area, we’re being cautious. I would expect him to be back at some point on this trip.” The Lakers did not specify a target date.
Los Angeles is also without LeBron James, who has yet to play this season while recovering from sciatica. Despite the absences, the Lakers have opened the 2025-26 campaign with a winning record.
Reaves averaged double-digit scoring and efficient shooting in the season’s first four games, providing a secondary playmaking option alongside Luka Dončić. Redick said the two guards share a competitive edge, noting their mutual enthusiasm for on-court trash talk.
The Lakers continue their trip with stops in Atlanta, New Orleans and Houston before returning to Crypto.com Arena next week.
Source: LakersNation.com
