Star guard Austin Reaves is reportedly “on pace” to play Game 3 of the Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets first-round playoff series after being upgraded to questionable on Thursday.
According to Clutch Points’ Brett Siegel, Reaves will return to the Lakers lineup for the first time since the April 2 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder — barring any setbacks.
“Reaves, who suffered a Grade 2 left oblique strain on April 2, was originally expected to have a 4-6 week recovery timeline,” the insider wrote on X.
“Exactly three weeks from the injury, Reaves is now on pace to return tomorrow night against the Rockets, barring no setbacks in shootaround.”
Siegel’s report came soon after the Reaves was upgraded to questionable for Game 3.
Austin Reaves Injury Update
Earlier this week, Lakers head coach JJ Redick confirmed reports that Reaves had advanced to 1-on-1 workouts for the first time since being diagnosed with a grade 2 oblique strain on April 2. At the time, it was widely believed that Reaves would need at least one more week to move from 1-on-1 to 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 — as is the norm for NBA players. Many circled Game 5 on April 29 as an Austin Reaves return date.
“Austin has progressed to 1-on-1 workouts coming off a grade 2 oblique strain.” ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported on the “Howdy Partners” podcast on Wednesday.
“We originally reported a 4-to-6 week timeline. Game 5 would be one day short of four weeks, so you have to start to look at that as a theoretical possibility.”
However, the Lakers shockingly upgraded Reaves to questionable on Thursday, suggesting that the fifth-year guard had progressed well.
Austin Reaves Return Date
Even Lakers head coach JJ Redick was seemingly surprised at Reaves’ rapid progress. After Thursday’s practice session, Redick was unsure when Reaves would progress from 1-on-1 and inch closer to a return.
“That’s above my pay grade,” Redick said when asked about Reaves’ progress.
“Austin has, you know, started a return to play,” he continued. “But we don’t have any timeline update for anything. Luka, I think, is going to start some more work here soon. But again, no update on timeline for him.”
Barely a few hours after Redick’s comments, Reaves was upgraded to questionable.
The news of Reaves’ return is obviously a huge boost to a Lakers team that seized a 2-0 series lead over the Rockets with back-to-back wins at home. It’s unknown whether they could bring Austin Reaves off the bench or keep him under a minute restriction in his first game in nearly three weeks.
The Rockets enter Game 3 as massive 8.5-point favorites at home. Those odds could potentially shrink closer to the game if Reaves is cleared for a return.
Lakers Get New Update on Austin Reaves Status for Rockets Game 3