Austin Reaves had a rough Christmas Day outing for the Los Angeles Lakers against the Houston Rockets. The guard played only 15 minutes before being ruled out for the second half because of soreness in his left calf. This was the same issue that had already forced him to miss three games earlier this month.
On Friday, NBA insider Shams Charania shared a major update. According to the report, Reaves has been diagnosed with a grade two strain in his left calf muscle. The Lakers will reevaluate him in about four weeks, meaning he will be out for a key stretch of the season.
This news comes at a very bad time for the Lakers. Luka Dončić is also dealing with a lower leg issue and was seen limping late in the game against Houston. With both players banged up, the team now faces serious depth and scoring concerns.
Reaves has been one of the Lakers’ most important players this season. He is putting up career best numbers across the board, averaging over 26 points, six assists, and five rebounds per game. Even with a high number of shot attempts, his shooting efficiency has been the best of his career. He has also shown that he can carry the offense when the main stars are not on the floor.
Earlier in the season, Reaves proved he could lead the team on his own. During October, he posted big scoring nights and showed strong control as a primary option. His calm decision making, clutch shooting, and playmaking have been key reasons the Lakers stayed competitive.
The calf problem first appeared in early December during a game against the Philadelphia 76ers. Reaves played heavy minutes but struggled to find his rhythm. A few days later, he again looked uncomfortable against the San Antonio Spurs. Those performances led the Lakers to sit him out for three straight games to avoid further damage.
He returned earlier this week against the Phoenix Suns with limited minutes and looked solid in a short role. However, once he rejoined the starting lineup against Houston, the pain returned, forcing the coaching staff to shut him down again.
With Reaves now expected to miss around a month, the Lakers will need other players to step up quickly. His absence will be felt on both ends of the floor, especially during close games where his confidence and smart play often make the difference.
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