Austin Reaves' injury another worrisome development for the Los Angeles Lakers

The 27-year-old guard recorded 12 points on 5-of-8 shooting in just under 15 minutes prior to exiting. Marcus Smart started the second half with Reaves out, per Lakers reporter Jovan Buha.

It’s a worrisome development for the Lakers, as Reaves just returned to action on Tuesday after missing nearly two weeks with a left calf strain. The team referred to that initial strain as “mild.”

Reaves was off to a terrific start to his fifth season prior to suffering the calf strain. In his first 21 games (all starts), he averaged 27.8 points, 6.7 assists and 5.6 rebounds in 36.9 minutes per night, with a .503/.369/.875 shooting line.

Reaves came off the bench in Tuesday’s blowout loss in Phoenix, finishing with 17 points (on 6-of-11 shooting), two rebounds and two assists in 22 minutes. He also had three turnovers and the Lakers were outscored by 17 points when he was on the court (they lost by 24).

Los Angeles opened the season with an impressive 15-4 record but has looked shaky lately, especially defensively. That continued Thursday, as the Lakers ended up getting blown out, 119-96,for their third straight loss.