Just when the Los Angeles Lakers needed a fully healthy squad heading into the NBA Playoffs, they have now lost two of their main players. Lakers guard Austin Reaves has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 left oblique muscle strain and will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 regular season, the team announced Saturday.
Lakers lose Austin Reaves in addition to Luka Doncic ahead of NBA Playoffs
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Reaves is expected to be sidelined for four to six weeks, which means he will miss the start of the NBA playoffs and could be out longer if the Lakers advance beyond the first round.
The injury compounds a devastating stretch for JJ Redick’s side, who are already without star Luka Doncic. Reaves and the Slovenian star have been the team's two leading scorers this season, leaving 41-year-old LeBron James to shoulder a heavier load heading into the postseason.
The timing is particularly harsh after a strong March in which the Lakers went 15-2, positioning them as a potential playoff threat before this late-season collapse. Reaves' absence removes a key shot-creator and reliable scorer from the backcourt at a critical juncture.
With both primary offensive options potentially unavailable early in the playoffs, the Lakers will lean heavily on James and supporting cast members to navigate what has become an uphill battle. Recovery timelines for Grade 2 oblique strains typically involve careful management to avoid re-injury, as the muscles are essential for twisting and core stability.
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