Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves has been upgraded to questionable for Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets.
The Lakers made the announcement regarding Reaves’ status on Thursday, as the team travelled to Houston. Despite playing without Luka Doncic and Reaves, their top two scorers, Los Angeles holds a surprising 2-0 series lead.
Reaves’ Injury and Return to Training
Reaves has been sidelined since straining his oblique muscles in a game at Oklahoma City on April 2. Luka Doncic also strained his hamstring in the same game. Reaves has, however, returned to on-court basketball activities over the past few days.
Before the Lakers’ flight, coach JJ Redick said he had no update on the schedule for his injured starters’ return to play.
Reaves’ Regular Season Impact
During the regular season, Reaves averaged 23.3 points, 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds. The guard played in 51 games, due to two lengthy injury absences. In his fifth season with Los Angeles, the former undrafted free agent cemented his status as a prolific secondary scorer and dependable offensive facilitator while the Lakers won 53 games and the Pacific Division.
Reaves and NBA scoring champion Doncic were both injured during the Lakers’ blowout loss to the Thunder three weeks ago.
Doncic’s Status and Team Performance
Doncic is still out for Game 3, but Redick said earlier this week that the Slovenian superstar is expected to begin initial on-court work soon. The Lakers haven’t publicly speculated on the date of either guard’s return.
After losing three straight games following the injuries, the Lakers have regrouped and won five in a row. Los Angeles stunned the NBA by claiming the first two games of its first-round series at home over the Rockets, who were perceived as the strong favorites in the series due to the Lakers’ injury problems.
Other Players Stepping Up
Although 41-year-old LeBron James is leading the way, Luke Kennard and Marcus Smart also have stepped up impressively in the absence of the Lakers’ starting backcourt. Kennard scored 27 points in Game 1 and 23 in Game 2, and Smart scored 25 points with five 3-pointers in Game 2 while leading Los Angeles’ impressive defensive effort against Kevin Durant.
The Lakers have made a great start to the series, despite missing key players.