As if losing three of their last five games wasn’t enough, the Los Angeles Lakers have been dealt yet another blow in the injury department. Austin Reaves will reportedly miss one week due to a “mild” calf strain, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
Lakers Star Suffers Setback Amid Career Year
Lakers Struggles Continue
Reaves had been averaging career highs across the board prior to this injury. In 21 games, he averaged 27.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 6.7 assists on .503/.369/.875 splits. He dropped a career-best 51 points against the Sacramento Kings on Oct. 26 and recently had a 44-point double-double in LA’s Dec. 6 win over the Toronto Raptors.
Head coach JJ Redick told ESPN that the Lakers’ recent road trip was “very taxing in terms of [Reaves’] both intensity and workload.” The team’s upcoming slate may do them no favors either, facing the Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz and LA Clippers in away contests
With the 27-year-old performing so well aside from two recent letdowns, it’s imperative that the Lakers manage his health wisely to maintain—and build upon—their fourth-place standing in the West.
Signs of Hope with Marcus Smart
With Reaves down for the count, it’s likely that Marcus Smart returns to the first unit for the time being. The 31-year-old is coming off a scintillating season-high performance against the San Antonio Spurs where he canned eight threes en route to 26 points off the bench, a bright spot despite LA’s elimination from the Emirates NBA Cup. Some have used that game to advocate for Smart to permanently start, a suggestion that may not be off the table considering their recent defensive struggles. For now, however, the Lakers will probably evaluate Smart’s performances in Reaves’ absence before making such a drastic change.
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