Lakers desperately need Austin Reaves back during brutal road trip

The Los Angeles Lakers have gone 7-7 since Austin Reaves suffered a calf strain on Christmas Day. They're hoping to get the high-scoring guard back during one of their toughest stretches of the season.

Lakers coach JJ Redick told reporters Tuesday he expected Reaves to return during their eight-game road trip, which started with a 115-107 comeback win over a shorthanded Denver Nuggets team. He can't come back soon enough for the Lakers, who aren't the same offensively without Reaves.

Austin Reaves has been the Lakers' second-best offensive player

No disrespect to the 41-year-old LeBron James, but Reaves has been the Lakers' second-best player on offense this season, behind the NBA's leading scorer, Luka Doncic. Reaves and James each attempt 16.2 shots per game, but Reaves is averaging 26.6 points to James' 22.5, while getting to the foul line 8.6 times to James' 5.8. Reaves shoots significantly better from three-point range and nearly matches James' assist totals (seven for James, 6.3 for Reaves).

Without Reaves in the lineup, the team is scoring 113.5 points per game, down from their season average of 116.3. They've taken a big hit at the free-throw line, attempting three fewer foul shots per game without Reaves, who has an uncanny ability to get foul shots.

Without Reaves, an All-Star candidate this season, the Lakers have had to learn harder on Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia, neither of whom is the outside shooter Reaves is. Only James and Doncic are close to his foul-drawing abilities.