Lakers Get Major News on Austin Reaves Ahead of Game 5 vs Rockets

By Cole SullivanShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberSee more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.Austin Reaves sustained a Grade 2 oblique strain on April 2 during a regular-season matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder.Luka Doncic was injured in that same game after tweaking his hamstring, and both players have remained sidelined while rehabbing ever since.However, after being listed as a game-time decision in each of the last two games of the Los Angeles Lakers’ first-round series against the Houston Rockets, Reaves is reportedly "optimistic" that he will return for Game 5 on Wednesday night.More news: Kevin Durant Goes Viral for Taunting Deandre Ayton After Ejection...More news: Cooper Flagg Tops Kon Knueppel In Historically Close Rookie of the Year VoteAccording to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Reaves is still expected to be listed as a game-time decision and will go through warmups before a final determination is made. Still, there is growing expectation that he could be back on the floor as L.A. looks to close out the series, currently holding a 3-1 lead after dropping Game 4 on Sunday.View this post on XReaves has been a major contributor to the Lakers’ success this season, serving as the team’s second-leading scorer behind Doncic while averaging 23.3 points, 5.5 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game during the regular season.L.A. leaned heavily on LeBron James amid the injuries, while also getting strong production from players like Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard, Rui Hachimura, and Deandre Ayton, along with key contributions off the bench.It remains unclear how head coach JJ Redick plans to utilize Reaves — whether on a minutes restriction, back in the starting lineup, or eased in off the bench. Regardless, his potential return would provide a significant boost, easing the ball-handling burden on James and adding another proven scoring threat to the rotation.More news: Celtics’ Jayson Tatum Reveals Strong Reaction to Donte DiVincenzo InjuryRequest Reprint & LicensingSubmit CorrectionView Editorial & AI GuidelinesRelated PodcastsTop StoriesFor MembersAnalysisHow the Iran War Scored Trump His Biggest OPEC Win Yet5 min readFor MembersAnalysisThe First Rule of Robot War: Keep the Humans Fighting6 min readWorldGermany Can Now Make More Ammunition Than The US, Says Weapons Giant3 min readFor MembersAnalysisDonald Trump Should Let Jimmy Kimmel’s Career Die of Natural Causes6 min readPoliticsHow ‘Bulletproof’ White House Ballroom Would Change Trump’s Security7 min readNewsSecret Service Faces Review As Agency Fails To Learn Lessons From Butler6 min readTrendingOhioSupreme Court Deals Final Blow to Ex-GOP Speaker in $60M Bribery Case6 min readGreen CardGreen Card Update: Applicants Impacted by Trump Travel Ban Get Legal Win6 min readDogsDog Trainer Reveals 5 Signs Your Pup Feels Emotionally Safe at Home3 min readAmazonAmazon Layoffs Hit 4 States Today7 min readJimmy KimmelJimmy Kimmel Defends Melania ‘Widow’ Joke as Trumps Pile Pressure on ABC9 min readOpinionOpinionWhy NATO’s Weakest Link Is Spain | Opinion4 min readOpinionThe Trump Staged Shooting Conspiracies Need to Stop | Opinion6 min readOpinionVirginia Shows the Way: Let’s End the Electoral College Farce | Opinion7 min readOpinionThe DNC Didn’t Ban AIPAC, But Warning Signs Remain | Opinion5 min readOpinionWar Won’t Solve Iran’s Nuclear Threat. This Could | Opinion5 min read

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