Lakers Guard Austin Reaves to Miss Significant Time with Calf Injury
The Los Angeles Lakers have announced that guard Austin Reaves will be out for at least a month due to a grade 2 strain in his left calf. This news comes after Reaves left the game against the Houston Rockets at halftime, marking the latest setback for the team. Reaves, who has been averaging career highs in points (26.6), assists (6.3), and rebounds (5.2), had previously missed three games with a “mild” calf strain.
Reaves’ initial return to the court was promising, as he came off the bench against the Phoenix Suns on December 23 and later reprised his starting role on Christmas Day against the Rockets. However, his comeback was short-lived, as he was ruled out for the second half of the game against the Rockets due to “left calf soreness.” The Lakers are now facing a significant challenge without their second-leading scorer, particularly given their recent struggles on defense.
Calf Injuries: A Concern Across the NBA
Calf injuries have become a major concern across the NBA, with several high-profile players suffering from them in recent years. Notably, Tyrese Haliburton, Damian Lillard, and Jayson Tatum all suffered Achilles tears during last year’s playoffs, with Haliburton and Lillard having previously dealt with calf injuries. Lakers star guard Luka Doncic, who suffered a calf injury on Christmas Day last year while with the Dallas Mavericks, can attest to the challenges of recovering from such an injury. Doncic missed two months and was later traded to the Lakers.
Doncic has expressed his support for Reaves, stating, “I know how it is to go to a calf injury. It’s not fun at all… [I’ll] just be there to support him. Take your time. Calves are dangerous so take your time.” The Lakers are now facing a critical period without Reaves, having lost three consecutive games and struggling with their defense in the last 15 games.
Impact on the Lakers’ Season
The Lakers’ current struggles have raised questions about the team’s motivation and commitment. Coach JJ Redick has promised an “uncomfortable” film session and team meeting to address these concerns. The team’s upcoming schedule may provide some relief, with four of their next five games against teams in the bottom of the Western Conference standings. However, Reaves’ absence could extend until the beginning of the Lakers’ Grammy road trip, which begins on January 20 against Denver.
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