Lakers guard Austin Reaves' injury is more serious than previously thought

The 27-year-old Reaves got off to a dream start to the season, dropping multiple 40-plus-point games (including a 51-piece against Sacramento on Oct. 26). Overall on the year, Reaves is now up to 31.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 9.3 assists per game (which are all career-best marks by far). On top of that, there are some pretty big numbers being thrown around for what Reaves could make as a free agent next summer.

But Reaves has now missed two consecutive games for the Lakers and is formally set to miss a third on Saturday against Atlanta. Given the tendency of groin injuries to linger as well, Reaves could be looking at a longer spell on the sidelines, particularly with a “strain” distinction.

Despite Reaves, Luka Doncic and LeBron James all missing time at various points in the first few weeks due to injury (with James in particular still having yet to make his season debut), the Lakers are sitting pretty at 7-2, which is second in the Western Conference. Now they will have to make due for a little bit longer with Doncic running the show and the likes of Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton providing secondary support.