Just as the Houston Rockets get a win on the board, the Los Angeles Lakers are moving in the right direction of getting a key reinforcement back in the lineup. According to Shams Charania of ESPN, Austin Reaves could make his return to the lineup for Game 5.
“Austin Reaves, we’ll see the next couple of days how he feels,” Charania said on The Pat McAfee Show.
“He could play on Wednesday. He was a game-time decision for Game 3 and Game 4. There was a chance he was going to play. He had a Grade 2 oblique strain, four to six weeks, that four-week period is coming up here closer to the end of this week. I think Game 5 is very much within realm for him.”
This season, Reaves has appeared in 51 games for the Lakers. Seeing the court for 34.5 minutes per game, the veteran sharpshooter produced 23.3 points per game, while shooting 49.0% from the field and hitting on 36.0% from three.
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)
During the Lakers’ April 2 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Reaves suffered an oblique strain. He went on to miss the final five games of the regular season.
Due to the absence of Reaves and the MVP-caliber sharpshooter Luka Doncic, the Lakers entered the playoffs viewed as potential upset candidates.
With the Rockets possessing Kevin Durant, many believed that Houston had a chance to beat LA with ease in round one, despite being in the lower seed. However, LeBron James and his team clearly had other plans.
Lakers Stun The Rockets Through Three Games
GettyHOUSTON, TEXAS – APRIL 24: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the first quarter of the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on April 24, 2026 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)
Ahead of Game 1, the Rockets lost Kevin Durant to a knee contusion. The Lakers took advantage of the absence, opening the series with a 1-0 record.
While Kevin Durant returned to the court to make his Rockets playoff debut in Game 2, the Lakers still didn’t fall short as many expected. LA had a 2-0 series lead, before Durant missed another game due to an ankle injury.
Although the Rockets seemed to have Game 3 sealed, the Lakers formed an unlikely comeback in the fourth quarter in order to force overtime. Once they got there, the Lakers came away with the win.
GettyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 14: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers react during the second 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)
Going into Game 4, LA was teed up for a potential sweep. Houston managed to make the series a little more interesting by taking down LeBron and the Lakers, forcing Game 5 with a 115-96 Rockets win.
LeBron James finished the game with just 10 points, nine assists, and eight turnovers. The Rockets and the Lakers will meet for Game 5, which is set to take place on Wednesday, April 29.
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