During Friday night’s matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers, the Lakers revealed that Austin Reaves, who sustained a calf injury just nine minutes into the game, would not be returning. Before leaving the court, Reaves tallied six points on 2-of-4 shooting along with one block.
Injuries haven’t been a major issue for Reaves, particularly in recent seasons. The Arkansas native appeared in all 82 games for the Lakers last year, missing only a brief five-game stretch in early December. Given his durability, there is some concern surrounding this latest setback.
Although it has been confirmed that Reaves will miss the remainder of the Clippers game, his immediate future remains uncertain. However, both Reaves and the Lakers could soon have more clarity.
According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, “Reaves is expected to undergo an MRI on his calf on Saturday.”
The MRI should shed more light on the extent of the injury and determine how long he might be sidelined. The Lakers are certainly hoping it isn’t anything too serious.
Two seasons after finishing seventh in Sixth Man of the Year voting, Reaves has established himself as a key piece of the Lakers’ rotation. This season, he is averaging career highs with 19.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 1.1 steals per game.
With less than two months remaining in the season, the Lakers are pushing to solidify their playoff position. Whether they will have to do so without Reaves remains to be seen.
