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Austin Reaves' Injury Gets Clarity After Troubling Exit in Lakers-Clippers

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kevin Borba | Last updated Mar 1, 2025 8:26 PM ET

Los Angeles Lakers fans collectively held their breath during Friday's 106-102 win against the Los Angeles Clippers.

With the team seemingly hitting its stride after trading for Luka Doncic, one of its key players in Austin Reaves was forced to exit the game after just nine minutes of action. Lakers head coach JJ Redick told reporters after the game that Reaves was feeling soreness in his calf and held him out for precautionary reasons.

ESPN's Shams Charania confirmed that the injury isn't too serious.

"Lakers guard Austin Reaves will be day-to-day after MRI on his right calf revealed no serious injury, sources tell ESPN," wrote Charania. "His status is uncertain for Sunday against the Clippers, but great development overall after Reaves exited early in Friday's win."

While some questioned what would happen to Reaves once Doncic found his groove, the 26-year-old out of Oklahoma had a huge February. On the month, he averaged 22 points, 5.6 assists and 4.3 rebounds while shooting 45.1% from the field and 34.9% from deep.

As of Saturday, the Lakers are fourth in the Western Conference, but the Memphis Grizzlies have just a 0.5-game advantage over them in the standings. Aside from Reaves being banged up, Rui Hachimura is also dealing with a left knee issue that will hold him out of Sunday's matchup, according to Jova Buha of The Athletic.

If the Lakers can get everyone healthy and build on being 8-2 in their last 10, they can truly become contenders.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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