
Help might finally be on the way for the Los Angeles Lakers — not that they've needed it so far.
Up 3-1 in their first-round matchup with the Houston Rockets, JJ Redick's team might get Austin Reaves back for Game 5.
ESPN insider Shams Charania reported that Reaves will officially be a game time decision after missing the past four weeks with an oblique injury.
Reaves sounded optimistic about his potential return, and he's clearly had enough of watching from the sidelines.
"I want to get out there as fast as I can," Reaves said, per ClutchPoints' David Yapkowitz. "I feel good, trending in the right direction. I can’t wait to wake up tomorrow and attack another day."
Reaves has been with the team throughout the entire series, and watching his teammates get all the job done has been frustrating for him, as he's usually available and playing big minutes.
"I’ve been pretty miserable, just not having somewhat of a control on a game," he added. "Just sitting over there, not with no hope in the game, but no hope that I can affect the game. Obviously I can talk and try to lead from being over there, but not really being on the court sucks."
LeBron James has done an amazing job of holding down the fort in Reaves' absence.
The Lakers are also without Luka Doncic, who's expected to miss the entirety of the series as he continues to nurse a grade 2 hamstring strain, and his availability for the remainder of the playoffs is also up in the air.
Getting Reaves back will be a massive boost for the Lakers offense. He can take playmaking and scoring duties off James' shoulders, and with the Oklahoma City Thunder waiting for them in the second round, they certainly can't afford to extend this series much longer.
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