Lakers Hopeful Austin Reaves Will Suit Up for Game 5 vs. Rockets
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The Los Angeles Lakers anticipate guard Austin Reaves could rejoin the lineup for Game 5 of their first-round series against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena.
According to ESPN insider Shams Charania, Reaves is “optimistic” about playing after missing roughly four weeks with a Grade 2 oblique strain. He will be a game-time decision for the third straight contest.
Reaves was listed as questionable for Games 3 and 4, taking part in pregame warm-ups before being ruled out as a precaution. Los Angeles leads the best-of-seven matchup 3-1 and can close out the series on its home floor.
If cleared, the 27-year-old is expected to face a minutes restriction and could come off the bench to preserve the team’s current rotation. The Lakers have been without both Reaves and fellow guard Luka Dončić through the first four games.
Coach Redick on missing Reaves and Dončić
Head coach JJ Redick said the absence of his top two scorers has complicated the club’s offensive flow.
“The biggest challenge is ball-handling and downhill driving without those guys,” Redick noted, adding that the Lakers’ expected points per shot have dipped below their season average. “We’ll review the process on that end and look at how we can be better from there.”
The Lakers will continue to monitor Reaves’ status leading up to tipoff, while Dončić still faces additional benchmarks before a possible return.
Source: LakersNation.com
