LA Lakers head into their highly anticipated matchup against the Phoenix Suns with a growing concern surrounding Austin Reaves’ availability. While much of the spotlight continues to shine on LeBron James and Luka Doncic, Reaves’ status has quietly become one of the most important storylines for the Lakers ahead of tonight’s showdown.
Austin Reaves’ injury raises concerns
Reaves has not missed recent games, which has kept his injury somewhat under the radar. However, Lakers guard is currently dealing with a calf strain that could force the team to proceed with caution. Despite suiting up in the Lakers’ most recent outing against the San Antonio Spurs, Reaves appeared limited, finishing with 15 points on 6-of-16 shooting.
For a player who has consistently delivered efficient scoring performances, that outing raised eyebrows. It later emerged that the calf issue likely occurred before the Spurs game, offering context for his uncharacteristic struggles.
Why Austin Reaves’ health matters so much
This season, Reaves has firmly established himself as a critical piece of LA Lakers’ offense. While LeBron James and Luka Doncic command defensive attention, Reaves has carved out a vital role in the backcourt, often functioning as the team’s most reliable scoring option behind the two superstars. Some would argue his offensive output has placed him among the Lakers’ top two scorers on certain nights.
Having a compromised version of Austin Reaves on the floor could significantly limit Los Angeles’ spacing and shot creation, particularly against a Suns team that thrives on exploiting defensive weaknesses.
Timeline for return and official update
According to reports, the injury is not considered serious, but the Lakers are expected to be careful with his recovery. One update provided clarity on the situation:
“The Austin Reaves calf strain is minor, and Redick says he expects him to be out a week. Injury happened before SA game at some point.”
That timeline suggests Austin Reaves could miss multiple games, including tonight’s contest against Phoenix, as well as upcoming matchups against the Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Clippers.
Lakers’ position without Reaves
LA Lakers’ recent loss to San Antonio dropped them from second to fifth in the Western Conference standings, adding urgency to every game. If Reaves is unavailable, the responsibility will fall heavily on LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and the supporting cast to maintain offensive consistency.