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LA Lakers' coach JJ Redick revealed that Austin Reaves should be able to make a comeback "sooner rather than later."
Importance of Austin Reaves in LA Lakers
Reaves, who is the Lakers' second leading scorer after Luka Doncic, has missed the last 14 clashes because of a calf strain. As per Lakers reporter Mike Trudell, the 27-year-old star went through a full-court run with the coaching staff. Reaves is expected to undergo another full-contract workout on Sunday.
Redick added that he believes that Reaves will come back to the lineup during the latter part of LA's eight-game road trip. On Sunday, the Lakers will play the third game of the trip against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center.
"Hopefully he'll be back sooner on this trip rather than later," Redick said, per Trudell.
Austin Reaves likely to make comeback against Chicago Bulls
Reaves' next chance to play is against the Chicago Bulls on Monday. After that, LA will visit the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday and Washington on Friday.
As per ESPN's Dave McMenamin, Redick is retaining the starting lineup of Doncic, LeBron James, Deandre Ayton, Jake LaRavia and Marcus Smart while Reaves is still out.
Reaves picked up a grade 2 strain in his left calf muscle during LA's Christmas Day game against the Houston Rockets.
JJ Redick says the Lakers have missed Austin Reaves' services
LA Lakers coach JJ Redick said his team's attack has missed Austin Reaves' services, playmaking and potential to break down the opponent's defense.
"In describing part of what the Lakers have missed with Austin Reaves out, JJ Redick described the 'violence' that he plays with, Reaves attacking defenses with a combination of IQ, angles and force," Trudell tweeted on Saturday. "Redick added that first, it's a knife, and then, a sledgehammer."
In 23 matches, Reaves is having a career-high 26.6 points, 6.3 assists and 5.2 rebounds on 50.7% shooting, including 36.5% from 3-point range. Entering Saturday, the Lakers are No. 5 in the Western Conference with a 26-17 record. They have lost six of their last nine fixtures and are coming off a 112-104 loss to the LA Clippers on Thursday.
Reaves' eventual comeback should boost the LA Lakers roster, as he is an important part of the Lakers' offense, which ranks ninth in the NBA in offensive rating (116.6).
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