The Los Angeles Lakers will remain without guard Austin Reaves when they face the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday, according to the team’s latest injury report. Reaves continues to recover from a left calf strain sustained in December and is listed as out.
Head coach JJ Redick recently noted that the 27-year-old has been making steady progress and is participating in “stay-ready” sessions. Redick added that Reaves is expected to return at some point during the club’s current eight-game road trip, but his comeback will not begin in Cleveland.
Los Angeles struggled offensively after Reaves went down, relying heavily on Luka Doncic and LeBron James. The Lakers have stabilized with recent victories over the Dallas Mavericks and Chicago Bulls, yet Reaves’ eventual return would give the roster its full complement of primary playmakers and could help reduce turnovers created by makeshift ball-handlers.
The organization is proceeding cautiously because calf strains are prone to re-aggravation, and Reaves has dealt with the same issue twice this season. With the All-Star break only a few weeks away, minutes are expected to ramp up gradually once regular-season play resumes.
When Reaves is cleared, James is expected to spend more time off the ball, where he has excelled as a screener and cutter alongside Doncic and Reaves. Wednesday’s contest will also mark James’ latest return to Cleveland, where the Cavaliers crowd traditionally offers a warm reception to the four-time NBA champion who delivered the franchise’s first title in 2016.
Forward Rui Hachimura, who came back from his own calf strain earlier this month, said he is eager to see Reaves rejoin the lineup. Hachimura has flourished as a scoring option off the bench and anticipates even more open looks once defenses must again account for Reaves.
The Lakers and Cavaliers tip off Wednesday night at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
Source: LakersNation.com
