Austin Reaves of the Los Angeles Lakers has been sidelined for more than two weeks with a grade 2 oblique strain, and is expected to miss more time as his team continues their first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets.
Reaves was originally expected to be out for four to six weeks, and while rumors have circulated about him potentially returning from injury before then, at some point later on in the Lakers’ series, that remains to be seen.
However, this is now the second serious injury Reaves has suffered this season for the Lakers, and while he is going to enter free agency this summer, the possibility of him losing out on a lot of money remains as long as he stays out with the oblique strain.
Surprising Austin Reaves Contract News Emerges Amid Injury Recovery
GettyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 14: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers calls a play during the first half of a game against the Denver Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena on March 14, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Reaves is expected to sign a max contract with the Lakers in free agency this summer after reportedly turning down an extension based on his current deal.
That new offer from Los Angeles is expected to be at about a five-year, $240 million contract, making him one of the highest paid players in the NBA, and one of the highest-paid undrafted players in league history.
However, this new oblique injury has clouded the idea of him getting that new deal. It comes after he missed a major stretch earlier in the season with a calf injury.
Regardless, according to team insider Jovan Buha, speaking on the Run It Back show, Reaves isn’t slated to miss out on any money despite his recent poor injury history.
“Look at guards in the mid-to-high $30M range. Austin is just as good if not better…if he gets the max, I wouldn’t be surprised.”
@MichelleDBeadle | @ChandlerParsons“Look at guards in the mid-to-high $30M range. Austin is just as good if not better,” Buha said, talking down the point that Reaves’ injury could impact his free agency. “If he gets the max, I wouldn’t be surprised.”
In 51 games this season, Reaves averaged 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.5 assists on 49% shooting in what has been his best year in the NBA.
When Is Austin Reaves Returning From Injury For The Lakers?
GettyLOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 7, 2026: Injured Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) sits on the bench in street clothes next to Los Angeles Lakers forward Maxi Kleber (14) and Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15), right, during the game against the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena on February 7, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
While the return of Luka Doncic remains the biggest talking point for the Lakers, getting Reaves back on the court remains as big of an issue for the team in the playoffs.
According to Shams Charania, Reaves is expected to miss four to six weeks, which, based on that timeline, would rule him out for the entire Lakers vs Rockets first-round playoff series, even if it went to a Game 7.
However, Reaves injury updates have been minimal, and he has yet to be re-evaluated by the team, so his official status remains to be seen. Head coach JJ Redick and the rest of the team have maintained confidence that both he and Doncic could come back at some point in the series, but until the Lakers offer new updates, that is still uncertain.
Some have predicted Reaves to be available for potentially of Game 5, but that would require him to speed up the recovery process.
“And with Reaves’ injury, which is expected to sideline him four to six weeks, about pain management in addition to recovery, a sped-up return in which he’s back on the floor in the earlier part of his recovery window could have him playing as soon as Game 5,” Khobi Price of the California Post wrote.
He has been seen at team practices and on the bench for Los Angeles, but for the time being, any potential Reaves injury return has yet to be determined.
The Lakers continue their series, for now still without Reaves or Doncic, against the Lakers on Tuesday, as Game 2 is set to tipoff at 7:30 pm PST and will be live on NBC and Peacock.
Surprising Austin Reaves News Emerges Amid Lakers Injury Recovery