Austin Reaves‘ injury has put the Los Angeles Lakers star’s status in doubt for the team’s first round NBA playoff series against the Houston Rockets. Reaves is recovering from an oblique injury which could sideline the guard for the entire first round and potentially beyond depending on his recovery timeline.
Reaves was on the Lakers bench cheering on his team during Game 1 against the Rockets. ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported that the Lakers are preparing to be without Reaves for the entire first round.
“And as they prepare for it, sources told ESPN they have no expectation of having either Doncic or Reaves back at any point in the first round,” McMenamin wrote in an April 16, 2026, story titled, “Luka, Reaves and the 48 hours that changed the Lakers’ season.”
“But they also have not completely ruled out the possibility of one or both of them becoming available the longer the series lasts.”
Here’s what you need to know about Reaves’ injury and the latest Lakers news.
When Will Austin Reaves Play Again for the Lakers in the NBA Playoffs?
Reaves last played on April 2, and the Lakers have not announced a return timeline for the guard. The star will miss the start of the Lakers-Rockets series and potentially be sidelined even longer if the team is able to advance.
Reaves has been in Los Angeles “undergoing a variety of treatments,” per The Athletic’s Dan Wolke and Sam Amick.
“Redick said Reaves and Dončić are both out ‘indefinitely,'” Wolke and Amick wrote in an April 17, story titled, “LeBron James’ future: Retire, stay with Lakers or join Warriors/Cavs? What we know.” “Dončić is due back in Los Angeles late Friday after receiving his final treatment in Madrid for his Grade 2 hamstring strain.
“Reaves has been with the team in Los Angeles and been undergoing a variety of treatments in both the Lakers and Los Angeles Dodgers facilities, per a team source.”
Austin Reaves’ Injury Return Timeline Described as ‘Out Indefinitely’ by Lakers
The timing of Reaves’ injury is unfortunate with Lakers star Luka Doncic also sidelined. This leaves the majority of the playoff load to be carried by LeBron James for potentially the entire Rockets-Lakers series.
Heading into the NBA playoffs, Lakers head coach JJ Redick offered little in the way of updates. Redick described Doncic and Reaves’ status as “out indefinitely.”
“They’re out indefinitely,” Redick told reporters on April 14, per NBA.com. “I’m not going to have an update for you this week.”
Austin Reaves Expected To Be an NBA Free Agent, Putting His Lakers’ Future in Doubt
Beyond the NBA playoffs, Reaves’ future with the Lakers remains in doubt. Reaves can decline the final season of his current contract with Los Angeles and become a free agent this summer.
Ahead of the Rockets-Lakers series, Amick and Wolke reported that Reaves is expected to become a free agent.
“Reaves, who according to league sources intends to decline the final year of his contract with the Lakers and become an unrestricted free agent, is expected to have top-of-market interest from multiple teams, both those with cap space and those that would need to create it to sign him,” Amick and Wolke detailed.
“Reaves said that he hopes to remain with the Lakers and has strong advocates in Dončić and James. Dončić, according to a league source, has enjoyed his time with James as a teammate.”
Austin Reaves Injury Update: Will Lakers Star Return to Play vs. Rockets?