The Los Angeles Lakers are one game away from beating the Houston Rockets in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, and the series-clinching matchup could see Austin Reaves make his return from injury.
The Lakers are optimistic that Reaves can return from his oblique strain suffered four weeks ago, but his official status for Game 5 remains unclear.
But while Los Angeles is in the driver’s seat heading into the potential series-clinching contest on Wednesday, and though they could see one of their star players come back, head coach JJ Redick knows the job isn’t done yet.
JJ Redick Sends Scary Message Ahead of Lakers’ Game 5 Vs Rockets
GettyLAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 15: Head coach JJ Redick of the Los Angeles Lakers speaks during a press conference before a preseason game against the Dallas Mavericks at T-Mobile Arena on October 15, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
In the team’s Tuesday press availability after practice, Redick spoke to Lakers reporters about his and the team’s expected mindset heading into Game 5.
“Well, you have to kill them,” he said, per Daniel Starkand of LakersNation. “You have to kill…it’s difficult to kill someone. Survival instinct says ‘I want to stay alive.’ So you’ve got to be able to be able to kill them.”
“Well, you have to kill them. You have to kill…it’s difficult to kill someone. Survival instinct says ‘I want to stay alive.’ So you’ve got to be able to be able to kill them.”
The Lakers failed to ‘kill’ the Rockets in Game 4, as it was the first time in the series they were outdueled by the younger, yet less experienced team. Still, playing without Reaves and Luka Doncic for the entire series, Los Angeles was not expected to be ahead of Houston, especially with the 3-1 series lead they currently hold.
Though he’s in his second year as a coach, Redick has vast postseason experience as a player (110 playoff games), and that’s why he sent such a blunt message on why it’s tough to win any close-out game of a series.
Austin Reaves Injury Return
GettyMEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – MARCH 29: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on March 29, 2025 in Memphis, Tennessee.
While he didn’t play in Games 3 or 4 despite being upgraded to questionable, all signs point to Reaves making his return for the Lakers in the potential series-clinching game on Wednesday night.
Shams Charania reported earlier in the day that Reaves appears closer than ever to getting back on the court a bit less than four weeks after he initially suffered his grade 2 oblique strain.
“Los Angeles Lakers star Austin Reaves is optimistic to return to action in Game 5 against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night after missing about four weeks with a Grade 2 oblique strain, sources tell ESPN,” Shams Charania wrote in a post on X, announcing the news of his looming return. “Reaves will be a game-time decision for the third consecutive contest.”
The insider followed that up by saying on SportsCenter that Reaves is expected to play if no setbacks occur in pregame warmups.
Amid his looming injury return, Reaves himself spoke on his status for Game 5.
“JJ specifically was like, ‘you have to be comfortable with your body and what you can do to go out there and help us be successful,” he said. “And I want to get back out there as fast as I can. But like I said, I feel good and trending in the right direction and can’t wait to wake up tomorrow and attack another day.”
For now, an official Reaves injury return remains uncertain, but he is expected to be a game-time decision, and if things go well, he will play for the Lakers in Game 5, a matchup in which they hope to ‘kill’ the Rockets and move on to the second round.
Lakers’ JJ Redick Delivers Scary Message Ahead of Austin Reaves Injury Return In Game 5