In a thrilling update that has Lakers fans buzzing, star guard Austin Reaves could make his highly anticipated return to the lineup as early as January 28 against the Cleveland Cavaliers or January 30 against the Washington Wizards. This bombshell comes fresh off the Los Angeles Lakers’ gritty 115-107 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday, kicking off their grueling eight-game road trip in style.
Head coach JJ Redick dropped the encouraging news post-game, revealing that Reaves is progressing well from his calf injury and is on track to rejoin the team sometime during this extended road swing. The timeline aligns perfectly with the initial four-week recovery estimate following Reaves’ grade 2 left gastrocnemius strain, which he suffered during the Lakers’ Christmas Day matchup against the Houston Rockets on December 25.
Spectrum SportsNet’s Mike Trudell reinforced the optimism after the Denver win, reporting that Reaves has made “excellent progress” in his rehabilitation. “The plan is for Austin Reaves to return at some point in this trip,” Trudell shared. “Obviously, it’s a long road trip of eight games, but it won’t seem exactly like that because the team comes back home tonight to face the Clippers in a road game, before hitting the road for Dallas, and the trip goes through the first few days of February.”
Trudell didn’t hold back on the excitement, adding, “That would be great. We know they have missed him a lot.” Based on this intel, a comeback for the January 24 clash with the Dallas Mavericks or the January 26 game against the Chicago Bulls seems unlikely, pointing instead to the tail end of the month as the prime window.
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The Lakers’ road odyssey is no joke, featuring a mix of tough opponents and high-profile matchups. In the worst-case scenario, Reaves might not suit up until the February 1 blockbuster against the New York Knicks or the February 3 tilt with the Brooklyn Nets—games that cap off the team’s traditional Grammy Road Trip against New York’s NBA squads, always under the national spotlight.
Sources suggest the Lakers are leaning toward easing Reaves back against a softer foe, like the Wizards, rather than throwing him into the fire against a powerhouse like the Knicks. This cautious approach makes sense, given how the team has struggled in his absence.
Since Reaves went down on Christmas, the Lakers have limped to a 7-6 record with an offensive rating of 115.6— a noticeable dip from their pre-injury top-eight mark of 117.5 and 19-10 start. Redick’s squad has clearly felt the void left by their versatile guard, who has been a cornerstone of their attack.
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At just 27 years old, Reaves is enjoying a breakout fifth season with the Lakers, posting career-high averages of 26.6 points, 6.3 assists, and 5.2 rebounds while shooting an efficient 50% from the field. The undrafted sensation out of Oklahoma has evolved into a key offensive engine, blending scoring prowess with playmaking and rebounding grit.
Looking ahead, Reaves’ future is as bright as it is lucrative. As he approaches unrestricted free agency this offseason, teams like the Utah Jazz and San Antonio Spurs are reportedly gearing up to lure him away with big offers. However, the Lakers hold his full Bird Rights, allowing them to extend a five-year, $241 million max contract—far surpassing the four-year, $178.5 million deals rivals can table.
According to The Athletic’s Sam Amick, the Lakers are poised to reward Reaves with “the massive amount coming his way this summer,” signaling their commitment to keeping the homegrown talent in purple and gold.
As the road trip unfolds, all eyes will be on Reaves’ status. His return could be the spark the Lakers need to climb back into contention in the Western Conference. Stay tuned for more updates as Los Angeles navigates this pivotal stretch.