On Friday night, the Los Angeles Lakers will be in Houston to play the Rockets for Game 3 of their first-round playoff series.
The Lakers are coming off a 101-94 win in Game 2 (at home).
They currently have a 2-0 lead in the series despite being without Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic.
Los Angeles Lakers Make Austin Reaves Announcement
For Friday’s game, the Lakers have officially announced that Reaves is being listed as questionable on the injury report.
Mike Trudell of Spectrum Sportsnet wrote: “Austin Reaves is listed as questionable for Game 3 on Friday, while Luka Dončić remains out. Jake LaRavia is not in the injury report after tweaking an ankle in Game 2; LaRavia practiced today and is good to go for Game 3.”
Reaves finished the regular season with averages of 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.1 steals per contest while shooting 49.0% from the field and 36.0% from three-point range in 51 games.
He is in his fifth NBA season (all with the Lakers).
The Timeline: A Faster-Than-Expected Recovery
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Reaves suffered a Grade 2 left oblique strain on April 2. The original recovery timeline was 4-6 weeks.
Friday marks exactly three weeks since the injury.
Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints noted: “Reaves, who suffered a Grade 2 left oblique strain on April 2, was originally expected to have a 4-6 week recovery timeline. Exactly three weeks from the injury, Reaves is now on pace to return tomorrow night against the Rockets, barring no setbacks in shootaround.”
That is a remarkably fast recovery. Oblique strains are tricky injuries. They affect everything from rotation to breathing. Rushing back could lead to re-injury.
But Reaves is pushing to play. That speaks to his competitiveness and his desire to help his team.
NBA Social Media Reacts
The news of Reaves’ potential return generated significant buzz on social media.
@damanr wrote: “Austin Reaves has a massive payday coming his way, and for that reason I wrote off any chances of him coming back — not as a slight, at all, but just practically speaking. The fact that he’s even ‘Questionable’ speaks volumes about him as a player and teammate.”
@clutchfans added: “Lakers have added Austin Reaves to the injury report, listing him now as questionable. We might see Reaves return as soon as Game 3.”
The sentiment is clear: Reaves is risking his future earnings to play now. That is not something every player would do. It is a testament to his character.
What Reaves Would Bring to the Lakers
The Lakers are up 2-0 without Reaves and Doncic. They have won with defense, role players, and LeBron James.
Adding Reaves would make them even more dangerous.
Reaves is a secondary playmaker who can take pressure off LeBron. He is a shooter who spaces the floor. He is a competitor who makes winning plays.
Even if he is limited to 20 minutes, his presence would be a boost.
The Risk: Rushing Back Too Soon
There is also risk. Oblique strains are notoriously tricky. If Reaves returns too soon and aggravates the injury, he could be out for the rest of the playoffs.
The Lakers have a 2-0 lead. They do not need to rush him. They can afford to be cautious.
But Reaves wants to play. And if he is cleared, he will be on the court.
Lakers Right Now
The Lakers are the fourth seed after going 53-29 during the regular season.
They are 25-16 in the 41 games they have played on the road away from Crypto.com Arena.
The Lakers will look to keep their momentum in Houston, as they have a chance to take a commanding 3-0 lead.
Game 4 will be in Houston on Sunday.
If necessary, a Game 5 would be back in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
The Verdict: A Huge Boost If He Plays
The Lakers have a chance to take a stranglehold on the series. A win in Game 3 would put them up 3-0. No team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit in NBA history.
Adding Reaves would make that task easier. He is a proven playoff performer. He is not afraid of the moment.
The Lakers will be cautious. They will not play him if he is not ready. But if he is, he will be on the court.
And the Rockets will have an even tougher challenge.
The series is already leaning toward the Lakers. With Reaves back, it could be over soon.
Game 3 tips off Friday night. The basketball world will be watching to see if Reaves suits up. And if he does, the Lakers will be one step closer to the second round.