While he is officially out for the remaining regular-season games, his status for the postseason is precarious. “Austin Reaves is expected to miss four to six weeks with the Grade 2 oblique injury,” reported ESPN’s Shams Charania.

With the NBA Playoffs scheduled to tip off on April 18, a four-week recovery timeline would likely sideline Reaves for the entire First Round. If his recovery pushes toward the six-week mark, he could potentially miss the Conference Semifinals (slated for early May) as well, should the Lakers advance that far.

Devastating double blow for the Lakers

The news serves as a knockout punch for a Lakers team already reeling from the loss of league scoring leader Doncic. The Slovenian star suffered a left hamstring strain during the team’s demoralizing 139–96 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 2.

With both co-stars sidelined, the burden once again falls on LeBron James. At 41 years old, The King will be tasked with carrying the offensive load through the final five games of the season and, potentially, an entire playoff series without his primary backcourt playmakers.

Lakers to test depth in final stretch

With Doncic, Reaves, and Marcus Smart all sidelined, Bronny James, Nick Smith Jr., and Kobe Bufkin have emerged as the primary guard options for head coach JJ Redick heading into the final week of the regular season.

LeBron is expected to shoulder the majority of the ball-handling duties, effectively operating as the team’s point guard. However, with the Lakers having already secured a spot in the postseason, the coaching staff is wary of overextending the veteran superstar.

Redick now has a five-game window to evaluate the team’s depth and determine which rotation players can be relied upon in Doncic’s and Reaves’ absences when the playoffs begin on April 18.

According to the latest NBA injury report, LeBron James (left foot arthritis), Luka Doncic (right hip soreness) and Austin Reaves (right forearm contusion) are all officially listed as available to play.

The team is navigating a grueling travel schedule; after defeating the Houston Rockets 124–116 last night, the Lakers reportedly didn’t land in Miami until 3:59 a.m. due to flight delays.

Lakers are riding a hot-streak

The Lakers enter tonight’s matchup against the Heat on a massive high, coming off a 124–116 road victory over the Rockets that extended their winning streak to seven games. The win was fueled by dominant performances from James and Doncic, with Reaves providing his trademark steady contributions to keep the streak alive.

James’s outing in Houston was a historic display of efficiency. He finished with 30 points on an incredible 13-of-14 shooting from the field. In doing so, he became the oldest player in NBA history to record at least 30 points while shooting 90% or better.

Not to be outdone, Doncic continued his record-breaking tear. The Slovenian superstar finished with 40 points, nine rebounds, and 10 assists at the Toyota Center. With that stat line, he became the first player in NBA history to record at least 250+ points, 50+ rebounds, 50+ assists, and 25+ three-pointers over a seven-game span, cementing his status as a frontrunner for the 2026 MVP award.

LeBron James may be an unrestricted free agent next season, but the decision on whether he returns to the Lakers is not entirely his. In a report by Lakers Daily, both Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are expected to have a voice in team-building decisions, including whether James remains on the roster.

“Doncic and Reaves are expected to be in James’ ear about coming back to the Lakers,” wrote Lakers Daily, “despite Los Angeles president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka and governor Jeanie Buss being ready to part ways with arguably the greatest player of all time. If Doncic and Reaves want James back, Buss and Pelinka would welcome James back since they want to appease their future franchise players.”

Lakers ready to move on, but Doncic and Reaves are not

The Lakers had high ambitions for their star-studded trio, but the fit has been awkward. Even with all three players healthy and sharing the court, the Lakers have been mediocre, creating a growing sense that both sides could eventually benefit from a separation. Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, however, would prefer that LeBron James remains and continues building chemistry with the group.

“The Lakers are ready to move on from the James era and build around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. However, if James doesn’t retire this offseason, he could still return to Los Angeles since Doncic and Reaves want him back,” added Ashish Mathur of Lakers Daily. “Despite James, Doncic and Reaves struggling to co-exist as a ‘Big 3’ this season, the three players maintain a strong relationship, with one source saying that Doncic ‘wants to make things work with James’ and enjoys playing with the future Hall of Famer.”

With several teams potentially interested in the four-time champion, LeBron James will have multiple options, including retirement. Even at 41 years old, he continues producing at a high level, averaging 21.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 7.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.6 blocks per game while shooting 49.8% from the field and 29.9% from three-point range this season.

It would be a privilege to continue watching that trio operate together, or simply to keep LeBron James on NBA courts. However, the league constantly evolves, and anything can happen, including a possible and long-imagined return to Cleveland.

According to the latest official NBA injury report, the Lakers have listed both Doncic (left ankle soreness) and Reaves (left calf strain) as questionable for tonight’s contest.

Doncic landed on the injury report following a frightening fall at Rocket Arena during Wednesday’s 129-99 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. After a three-point attempt, the Slovenian star backpedaled off the court’s elevated edge, showing immediate signs of ankle pain.

While he returned to finish the game, Doncic admitted the incident was a major scare. “I kind of got scared. It wasn’t a great feeling, and looking back at the video, I think I got a little bit lucky,” Doncic told reporters, via The Athletic.

There is no doubt that having Doncic on the floor elevates the Lakers’ game to another level, but the team will likely prioritize caution to avoid any long-term setbacks. The NBA‘s leading scorer remains a dominant force this season, averaging 33.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, 8.7 assists, and 1.5 steals through 38 games.

Austin Reaves’ potential return

On the other side of the injury list, Austin Reaves may finally be ready for his highly anticipated return. Reaves has been sidelined since Christmas Day, when he suffered a calf strain against the Houston Rockets. After missing 17 consecutive games, his return would provide a massive boost to the purple and gold rotation.

Reaves has been enjoying a career year, serving as one of the Lakers’ most lethal offensive weapons. Before his injury, he was averaging a career-high 26.6 points per game while shooting an efficient 50.7% from the field and 36.5% from beyond the arc, alongisde 6.3 assists and 5.2 rebounds.

Austin Reaves was once viewed as a short-term surprise, but he has firmly established himself as a core piece for the Lakers. His development has been so significant that Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka has fielded numerous trade inquiries for the guard over the past year.

NBA analyst Jason McIntyre recently reported on The Herd that the Lakers have rejected 20 trade offers involving Reaves during that span. According to the report, Los Angeles would only consider moving him in a blockbuster deal that returns two NBA superstars.

“There are reports out there that the Lakers have turned down, wait for it, 20 offers in the last year for Austin Reaves,” McIntyre said. “The report goes on to say Pelinka is only interested in dealing Reaves in a package for Giannis Antetokounmpo or Nikola Jokic. I did laugh when I first heard that.”

The Lakers and the value placed on Reaves

While the asking price may seem unrealistic, it reflects how highly the Lakers value Reaves internally. The 27-year-old is averaging 26.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game during the 2025–26 season while shooting 50.7 percent from the field, making this the most productive year of his career.

Reaves has become far more than a complementary player, emerging as a reliable offensive option and a consistent presence alongside the team’s stars. His performance places him firmly in the conversation for a potential first All-Star selection in 2026.

The chances of such a trade happening

Antetokounmpo’s future with the Milwaukee Bucks remains uncertain. Milwaukee currently sits 11th in the Eastern Conference with a 17–24 record, fueling speculation about whether the two-time MVP could request a move before the deadline or during the offseason.

If Antetokounmpo, who is averaging 28.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game, becomes available, any Lakers offer would almost certainly include Reaves.

However, Nikola Jokic is not viewed as a realistic target. The Denver Nuggets are third in the Western Conference at 29–14, and there has been no indication that the Serbian star is interested in leaving a roster that continues to win even in his absence.

The Lakers suffered a tough 132-119 loss at home to the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night. With their defense heavily exposed throughout the game, James and Reaves acknowledged the team’s shortcomings during their postgame availability, stressing that their issues were both structural and effort-based.

While discussing potential solutions, James emphasized the importance of unity on the defensive end. “It has to be five guys on a string. Obviously, you can’t do it individually, by yourself. It has to be five guys on a string. Communication always has to be at an all-time high, letting you know what’s going on behind you and things of that nature.”

He also gave credit to the Spurs’ versatility. “Obviously, this is a unique team,” James said. “Six or seven guys who can break you off the dribble. Super fast, super quick, some of them stronger. Faster, quicker ball-handlers. So a unique team, and they definitely got the best of us tonight.”

Defensive lapses that opened the door

San Antonio started the game on a remarkable run, scoring 70 points in the first half while shooting nearly 50 percent from three. The Lakers’ perimeter defense lacked precision, leaving players such as Harrison Barnes, Julian Champagnie and Stephon Castle with clean looks that the Spurs capitalized on repeatedly.

Austin Reaves echoed those concerns, pointing directly at the breakdowns along the arc. “That’s a weakness we’ve got to get better at,” Reaves said. “The spirit is still high in here. We know we can do it. But we have to be a group that guards with five people, and like Bron said, we’ve got to be on a string in our rotations, and we’ve just got to play hard on that end.”

The star trio was not enough

The Lakers’ trio of Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves delivered strong performances despite the loss in the NBA. Doncic led the night with 35 points, five rebounds and eight assists. James posted an impressive 19 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists. Reaves struggled early but finished well, contributing 15 points, eight rebounds and seven assists while shooting 6-for-16 from the field.

Given the trio’s production, the Lakers were expected to stay in control. Instead, the defeat highlighted another lingering issue for the Purple and Gold, as their lack of depth once again proved costly.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (right groin strain) has been upgraded to probable and is expected to make his return tonight against the Charlotte Hornets, according to Chris Haynes.

Before Saturday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks, head coach J.J. Redick told reporters that Reaves was expected to return at some point during the team’s five-game road trip. It now appears that his comeback could happen as soon as Monday.

This season, Reaves has been in outstanding form, averaging 31.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 9.3 assists per game, while shooting 48.9 percent from the field and 34.4 percent from beyond the arc. He has been performing at an All-Star level for a Lakers team that has opened the season with a 7-3 record.

Reaves’ standout performances

Reaves scored an impressive 51 points against the Sacramento Kings earlier this season when two of his teammates were sidelined. He’s been averaging 37.9 minutes per game — a heavy workload that may have contributed to his recent groin injury.

With Reaves nearing a return, the Lakers are also hoping to get LeBron James back on the floor. The 40-year-old star has yet to make his season debut due to a sciatic nerve issue but is reportedly making progress in his recovery.

The Lakers are 2-1 without Reaves this season, with wins over the Portland Trail Blazers and San Antonio Spurs, but they fell in their most recent game against the Atlanta Hawks. His absence has highlighted just how vital he is to the team’s rhythm and offensive balance.

For now, the Lakers will continue to manage his minutes carefully once he returns, ensuring that Reaves can maintain his level of impact while staying healthy for the long stretch of the NBA regular season.

Of course, LeBron James has been sidelined and hasn’t played this season, but even Luka Doncic has missed some time. Austin Reaves became the latest key player for the Lakers to face an injury setback, missing the past three games as he recovers from a groin issue.

The Lakers have described Reaves’ injury as a minor groin strain. Head coach JJ Redick recently provided an update, according to team reporter Mike Trudell. “Given the fact that his pain is low, I would expect him to be back at some point on this trip,” Redick said via Trudell.

Recently, the Lakers’ injury report listed Reaves as questionable for Monday’s matchup against the Charlotte Hornets — a promising sign that his return could happen soon.

Reaves has been a crucial piece for the Lakers, especially in LeBron’s absence. He’s consistently carried the load when needed, showing poise and leadership under pressure. The Lakers will surely need him back as they continue their challenging early stretch of the season.

The evolution of Austin Reaves

Before his injury, Reaves was in the middle of a strong scoring run that kept the Lakers competitive while Doncic was out. That stretch included a game-winner against the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he finished with 28 points and 16 assists. He and Doncic have been vital to the Lakers’ early success, and there’s optimism that their chemistry will continue once LeBron returns.

Reaves also delivered an NBA season-high performance against the Sacramento Kings, recording a career-best 51 points in a 127-120 win without LeBron James and Luka Doncic. He added 11 rebounds and nine assists, shooting 12-of-22 from the field and hitting six three-pointers in that breakout game.

Reaves’ absence highlights his impact

Without Reaves in their last matchup against the Atlanta Hawks, the Lakers couldn’t get the job done, suffering one of their toughest losses so far. Redick acknowledged his disappointment afterward, admitting that the group lacked the same energy and execution seen in previous games.

“They brought the requisite level of effort and urgency and physicality,” Redick said postgame. The Lakers still have four games left on this road trip, facing strong opposition such as the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Milwaukee Bucks — matchups that will test their resilience until their stars are fully back.

The groin issues are hitting Reaves at a terrible time, as he is enjoying the best season of his career so far. Through seven games, he is averaging 31.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 9.3 assists while shooting 48.9% from the field and 90.3% from the free-throw line.

The 27-year-old guard has excelled in the crucial role of supporting Doncic in James’ absence, being highly effective on both ends of the floor. Reaves was also forced to carry the scoring load when Doncic missed three games due to finger and lower-body injuries. In those three contests, Reaves erupted for 51, 41, and 28 points against the Kings, Blazers, and Timberwolves, respectively.

Reaves’ last game before his groin issues arose was the 130-120 victory over the Heat, where he teamed up with Doncic to lead the team, averaging 26 points, 11 assists, and four rebounds. Coach JJ Redick had hoped to have him back for today’s matchup against the Hawks, but the Lakers are clearly choosing not to rush Reaves’ recovery early in the season.

“That’s a TBD,” Redick said when asked when he expects Reaves to return, prior to the game against the Spurs. “He’s got some soreness in that right groin and he wanted to get a workout in with Beau [Levesque] after shootaround to kind of test it… A further injury on that is hard. I’ve had them, I had that surgery. So we’re just trying to be safe with him, and hopefully [he returns] Saturday. But we’re not gonna put him at risk”.

When could Reaves and James be back?

Regarding LeBron James, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that James did not travel with the team for the five-game road trip. This suggests his return may not occur until November 19th when the Lakers face the Jazz at the Crypto.com Arena. However, there is no official data about his comeback and could be prolonged further.

As for Reaves, he did travel with the team, and the Lakers hope to have him available for the next contest against the Hornets. The injury report also lists Maxi Kleber as questionable (abdominal muscle strain), who could make his season debut if he’s healthy. In addition to James, Adou Thiero (left knee surgery recovery) and Gabe Vincent (left ankle sprain) remain out.

The 26-year-old guard, Reaves, jokingly addressed rumors of friction between him and Doncic, making it clear there’s no bad blood. “I think it’s full of hate. I don’t really know, but I was really happy seeing him back playing basketball today,” Reaves said in a postgame interview.

Reaves also praised Luka’s leadership and performance in his return, crediting his ability to take over when the team needs him most—a sentiment echoed by JJ Redick after the game, who joked about Doncic’s dominant first half.

“It’s just playing the right way. And then, obviously, he just took over the game. He’s done it a million times, and he’s really good at basketball. He’s got the capability of putting a team on his back, and he did that tonight,” Reaves said.

Luka Doncic’s strong return

It was Luka’s first game back after a three-game absence, and he picked up exactly where he left off. In 38 minutes, he torched the Grizzlies for 44 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists on 51.9% shooting. Most importantly, he secured the victory, improving the Lakers’ record to 4-2.

His absence had caused concern for the Lakers, but Reaves stepped up in the meantime, posting career-best numbers with an average of 34.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 10.0 assists during Luka’s time out.

It remains to be seen if Reaves can maintain these numbers, but with Doncic back, he no longer carries the full scoring load. Now, he can shine alongside one of the NBA’s elite scorers without the pressure of being the primary option.

“They’ll probably tell me I s*** [laughs],” Reaves told ESPN when asked about a hypothetical scenario where LeBron and Luka were present. He added, “They would probably say that because I missed too many shots today.”

Reaves’ remarks on what LeBron and Luka might say are just a snippet of his postgame reflections following the Timberwolves game. The Lakers have found in him the perfect piece to complement the team in the absence of their main stars.

Having already reached a career-high 51 points in a game, Reaves has also significantly contributed with an average of 10 assists per game and 5.6 rebounds.

Reaves’ emotional reflection on NBA journey

Each player has a unique journey, and Reaves shared his emotional story during a postgame press conference after his performance against the Timberwolves. He opened up about his path to the NBA.

“I was with my mom’s best friend, around seven years old, and I didn’t play basketball yet,” Reaves recalled. “She asked me what I wanted to do when I grew up, and I said, ‘I wanted to play in the NBA.'”

Reaves continued, “I played basketball in the yard, and she asked if I meant the MLB, since I played baseball. I answered, ‘No, I want to play in the NBA.’ I didn’t really understand why I said it; I didn’t love the game at that point, but something about it just felt right… it was meant to be.“

Reaves’ impact on the Lakers so far

One of the roster’s most talented players, Reaves has shown he has what it takes to make his mark in NBA history. With stellar performances, he has been a key factor in the team’s 3-2 start to the regular season. He currently leads the league in assists and holds the second-highest average points scored per game.

Here are his stats for the first five games with the Lakers:

• 28 PTS | 16 AST
• 41 PTS | 5 AST
• 51 PTS | 9 AST
• 25 PTS | 11 AST
• 26 PTS | 9 AST