Reaves has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 left gastrocnemius strain and will be re-evaluated in approximately four weeks, Dan Woike of The Athletic reports.
Reaves exited Thursday's loss to the Rockets with the calf injury, and the diagnosis confirmed the star guard will be sidelined for an extended period. The loss of Reaves means Marcus Smart, Dalton Knecht, Nick Smith and potentially Bronny James could be in line for more minutes in the Lakers' backcourt. Reaves is averaging a career-high 26.2 points per game, so his absence will be a huge blow for the Lakers, as they'll have to rely even more on Luka Doncic and LeBron James to carry the team offensively.
... See More... See Less
Lakers' Austin Reaves: Exits Christmas Day game
Rotowire
Reaves will not return to Thursday's game against the Rockets due to left calf soreness, NBA reporter Chris Haynes reports.
Reaves played in the first half and will finish his performance with 12 points (5-8 FG, 2-5 3Pt), one rebound, one assist and one block in 15 minutes. Reaves previously missed three games with a calf injury before returning Tuesday against the Suns and playing 22 minutes. Given the situation, it wouldn't be surprising if he sat out Sunday's game against the Kings. For now, he should be considered questionable for that contest.
... See More... See Less
Lakers' Austin Reaves: Hits for 17 in return
Rotowire
Reaves recorded 17 points (6-11 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 4-5 FT), two rebounds and two assists across 22 minutes off the bench during Tuesday's 132-108 loss to Phoenix.
Returning from a three-game absence due to a calf strain, Reaves was eased in as part of the second unit and was the only bench player for the Lakers to score in double digits. The fifth-year guard has scored 10-plus points in all 22 of his appearances this season, averaging 27.3 points, 6.5 assists, 5.4 boards, 2.7 threes and 1.0 steals in 36.2 minutes.
... See More... See Less
Lakers' Austin Reaves: Will play Tuesday
Rotowire
Reaves (calf) will play in Tuesday's game against the Suns, Khobi Price of The Orange County Register reports.
Reaves is ready to end a three-game absence with a left calf strain. Given that he missed just over a week of action, the star guard may face any significant restrictions Tuesday. Reaves has averaged 26.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 0.9 steals in 36.5 minutes per contest over his last 14 games.
... See More... See Less
Lakers' Austin Reaves: Limited at practice
Rotowire
Reaves (calf) was a partial participant at Monday's practice, Khobi Price of The Orange County Register reports.
Reaves has missed the past three games for the Lakers, but the guard has been upgraded to day-to-day with his left calf strain. For now, he can be considered questionable for Tuesday's game against the Suns.
... See More... See Less
Lakers' Austin Reaves: Won't play Saturday
Rotowire
Reaves (calf) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Clippers, Dan Woike of The Athletic reports.
Reaves is still working through a Grade 1 left calf strain, and Saturday will mark the third straight game he'll miss due to his injury. Marcus Smart will likely remain in the Lakers' starting lineup for as long as Reaves is sidelined. Reaves' next opportunity to return is Tuesday against the Suns.
... See More... See Less
Lakers' Austin Reaves: To be re-evaluated in one week
Rotowire
Reaves has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 left calf strain and will be re-evaluated in approximately one week, Dan Woike of The Athletic reports Friday.
It's unclear when Reaves picked up the calf injury, though he'll miss at least the next week because of it. With the 27-year-old guard sidelined, Marcus Smart, Jake LaRavia and Gabe Vincent are likely to see increased playing time, while Nick Smith and Bronny James are candidates to enter the rotation. Reaves has appeared in 21 regular-season games thus far, averaging career highs in points (27.8), assists (6.7) and rebounds (5.6) across 36.9 minutes per contest.
... See More... See Less
Lakers' Austin Reaves: Full stat line in loss
Rotowire
Reaves registered 15 points (6-16 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 1-1 FT), eight rebounds, seven assists and one block in 40 minutes during Wednesday's 132-119 loss to San Antonio.
Reaves has slowed down offensively, scoring just 26 combined points while shooting 9-for-32 from the field in his last two games after dropping a combined 80 points against the Raptors and Celtics in the two games prior. While the downward trend in usage can be attributed to the respective returns of LeBron James and Luka Doncic, Reaves has to improve his efficiency from the field if the team wants to succeed.
... See More... See Less
Lakers' Austin Reaves: Overcomes slow start in loss
Rotowire
Reaves finished Friday's 126-105 loss to the Celtics with 36 points (9-18 FG, 3-8 3Pt, 15-17 FT), eight assists and three rebounds over 33 minutes.
Reaves was the No. 1 option for the Lakers on Friday due to the absences of LeBron James (sciatica/foot) and Luka Doncic (personal). Reaves struggled out of the gate with an 0-for-5 first quarter, no doubt feeling the fatigue from Thursday's win over the Raptors, when he dropped 44 points in 41 minutes. Reaves bounced back and poured in 24 second-half points while doing most of his damage from the charity stripe, but the Lakers' halftime deficit was too big to overcome. The rising star has scored at least 33 points in five of his last six games, and over that span he has averaged 33.0 points on 61.9 percent shooting, 5.8 assists, 5.7 rebounds, 3.8 threes and 0.7 steals over 37.2 minutes per game.
... See More... See Less
Lakers' Austin Reaves: Cools off slightly
Rotowire
Reaves chipped in 16 points (6-12 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 1-1 FT), four rebounds and three assists in 33 minutes during Monday's 125-108 loss to the Suns.
Reaves finished with his second-lowest scoring total of the year, ending a streak of three consecutive games with 30 or more points. His rebound and assist totals were also below his season averages, as the Lakers were lackluster overall on the second night of a back-to-back. He'll have a few days of rest before the team's next game Thursday in Toronto.
... See More... See Less
Lakers' Austin Reaves: Hits for 33 points in win
Rotowire
Reaves registered 33 points (9-15 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 11-12 FT), five rebounds, eight assists, one block and one steal in 40 minutes during Sunday's 133-121 win over New Orleans.
Reaves and Luka Doncic scored 67 of the team's 133 points in the win, extending the recent homestand to 3-0. Reaves has been on fire over the three-game home stint, averaging 34.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.3 steals. He also shot an eye-popping 69.6 percent from the floor over the span.
... See More... See Less
Lakers' Austin Reaves: Pours in 31 against Clippers
Rotowire
Reaves recorded 31 points (11-16 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 7-7 FT), nine rebounds, three assists and three steals over 35 minutes during Tuesday's 135-118 win over the Clippers.
The fifth-year guard just missed recording his second straight double-double and sixth of the season, producing at least 25 points for the 10th time in 14 games on the campaign. In seven contests since returning from a groin strain, Reaves is averaging 24.6 points, 6.3 boards, 4.7 assists, 1.9 threes and 1.4 steals while shooting 50.9 percent from the floor.
... See More... See Less
Lakers' Austin Reaves: Double-double in SLC
Rotowire
Reaves posted 22 points (7-17 FG, 1-8 3Pt, 7-8 FT), 10 rebounds, four assists and one steal over 40 minutes during Sunday's 108-106 win over the Jazz.
The double-double was his fifth of the season and second involving rebounds instead of assists. Reaves has scored more than 20 points in five of six starts since returning from a three-game absence due to a groin strain, averaging 23.5 points, 5.8 boards, 5.0 assists, 1.8 threes and 1.2 steals over that stretch despite shooting just 26.2 percent from long distance. The return of LeBron James has not significantly impacted Reaves' usage.
... See More... See Less
Lakers' Austin Reaves: Goes off for 31 points in win
Rotowire
Reaves closed with 31 points (9-16 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 11-13 FT), four rebounds, seven assists, one block and one steal in 39 minutes during Friday's 118-104 victory over the Pelicans.
Even though Luka Doncic had an impressive stat line and finished just three rebounds shy of a triple-double, it was Reaves who led the Lakers in scoring in this win. Reaves has been outstanding this season and is among the league's top scorers while filling the scoring void left by the absence of LeBron James (back). Reaves has been on a tear of late as well, as this was his seventh game (out of 10 appearances) with at least 25 points in 2025-26.
... See More... See Less
Lakers' Austin Reaves: Well-rounded effort in return
Rotowire
Reaves (groin) delivered 24 points (7-17 FG, 2-10 3Pt, 8-11 FT), seven assists, five rebounds and two steals across 29 minutes in the Lakers' 121-111 win over the Hornets on Monday.
Reaves was cleared to return Monday from a three-game absence due to a groin strain. He didn't score with much efficiency, but he got to the charity stripe for a game-high 11 free-throw attempts, led the Lakers in rebounds and finished second in scoring behind Luka Doncic (38 points). The Lakers capped Reaves at under 30 minutes in his return, but he could see a slight uptick in playing time during the team's next game Wednesday at Oklahoma City.
... See More... See Less
Lakers' Austin Reaves: Will play Monday
Rotowire
Reaves (groin) is available for Monday's game against the Hornets.
Reaves will return to action after missing three games due to a groin injury. The Oklahoma product was off to a stellar start before the setback, averaging 31.1 points, 9.3 assists, 5.1 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 37.9 minutes per contest across seven appearances. Barring any limitations, he should resume his role as a focal point of the Lakers' offense alongside Luka Doncic.
... See More... See Less
Lakers' Austin Reaves: Questionable for Monday
Rotowire
Reaves (groin) is questionable for Monday's game against the Hornets, Daniel Starkand of LakersNation.com reports.
Reaves has already missed three consecutive games due to a right groin strain, and his status remains uncertain for Monday's matchup. Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia have stepped up in Reaves' absence and will likely continue to shoulder a heavier load if he is unable to play.
... See More... See Less
Lakers' Austin Reaves: Won't play Wednesday
Rotowire
Reaves (groin) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Spurs, Thuc Nhi Nguyen of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Reaves is dealing with a groin injury, which will result in him missing a second straight game. The team will likely turn to Jake LaRavia and Dalton Knecht to help shoulder the load in the backcourt. The next opportunity for Reaves to return will be Saturday against the Hawks.
... See More... See Less
Lakers' Austin Reaves: Goes through shootaround
Rotowire
Reaves (groin) participated in Wednesday's morning shootaround, ESPN's Dave McMenamin reports.
Reaves remains questionable to suit up against the Spurs after missing Monday's game against the Trail Blazers. He seems to be trending in the right direction, however. The guard holds averages of 31.1 points, 9.3 assists, 5.1 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 3.0 three-pointers through seven regular-season contests.
... See More... See Less
Lakers' Austin Reaves: Expected to play Friday
Rotowire
Reaves is probable for Friday's game against Minnesota due to ankle discomfort, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.
Reaves was a modified participant in Thursday's practice, but he's likely to play Friday. The star guard closed Tuesday's 119-109 loss to the Warriors with 26 points (9-16 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 7-10 FT), five rebounds, nine assists and two steals in 36 minutes, and Reaves should have more playmaking duties on his plate while LeBron James is sidelined due to a nerve issue.
