Lakers' Reaves sidelined by oblique injury through regular season
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves will miss the remainder of the regular season after suffering a left oblique muscle injury. ESPN first reported the injury Saturday, with the franchise confirming it later. Reaves faces a 4-6 week absence with only five games left before the playoffs.
The news marks another setback for the Lakers, coming one day after the team ruled out Luka Doncic for the rest of the regular season due to a left hamstring strain. Reaves, 27, joined the Lakers as an undrafted free agent out of Oklahoma and Wichita State ahead of the 2021-22 season. He earned a starting role in his third year with the franchise.
Reaves has appeared in 51 games this season, averaging 23.3 points, 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds. He logged 27 minutes during Thursday's 139-96 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Lakers coach J.J. Redick said earlier Saturday the team's focus remains on securing the No. 3 seed and winning a playoff series. The Lakers face the Dallas Mavericks on the road Sunday and close the regular season April 12 against the Utah Jazz. Reaves holds a player option for 2026-27 but reports indicate he will likely decline it to pursue a contract extension.