The Los Angeles Lakers are once again bracing for a last-minute call on Austin Reaves, with Game 5 against the Houston Rockets just hours away.
According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Lakers coach JJ Redick confirmed the team will follow the same cautious approach that has defined Reaves’ recovery from a Grade 2 oblique strain.
“He’s going to go through the same process and we’ll make the decision at game time,” Redick said.
That means Reaves’ availability for Wednesday night’s closeout opportunity will again hinge on how his body responds during pregame testing — not before.
Austin Reaves Return Update Before Game 5
Reaves, who has missed multiple games in the series, struck a tone of quiet confidence following Tuesday’s practice without committing to a return.
“I feel good… 3-1 back at home. We got a great opportunity tomorrow,” Reaves said.
The Lakers lead the series 3-1 and can eliminate Houston with a win at Crypto.com Arena. Whether Reaves is part of that push remains uncertain.
Internally, the Lakers have simplified the process.
“Just how my body feels,” Reaves said. “Everybody is on the same page here. The main thing is to get me back out there as fast as I can without putting myself at risk of reinjuring myself.”
That balance — urgency versus long-term health — has defined the decision-making process throughout the series.
Pain Tolerance, Conditioning Key to Return
Reaves acknowledged that discomfort is still present but not something he focuses on.
“I’m bad at feeling pain. Just try to battle anything,” he said.
Behind the scenes, his preparation has been centered on readiness rather than timelines.
“I’ve done everything I can to be in good condition… be able to be on the court and try to play as seamlessly as possible.”
That matters for a player coming off a breakout regular season. The 27-year-old averaged 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists while shooting 49% from the field and 36% from beyond the arc — numbers that elevated his role in the Lakers’ offense.
Frustration Early, Confidence Now
Reaves admitted the initial diagnosis was difficult to accept.
“I kinda had a feeling. Super frustrated,” he said.
But that frustration has been replaced by confidence in how the Lakers have responded.
Despite missing Reaves — and at times Luka Dončić — Los Angeles surged to a 3-0 series lead before dropping Game 4.
“The message… was that they would do everything as a team to give us an opportunity,” Reaves said. “They’ve done exactly what they said.”
Lakers Lean on Chemistry With or Without Reaves
From the sideline, Reaves said one theme has stood out: cohesion.
“It’s a lot of fun to see the determination, the togetherness and just the joy of them playing together,” he said. “Me and Luka talk about that every time.”
That identity — effort, detail and connected play — has carried the Lakers to the brink of advancing.
It will be tested again in Game 5, regardless of whether Reaves is cleared.
Game-Time Decision With Series on the Line
Per ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania, Reaves is optimistic about returning but remains a game-time decision for the third straight contest.
Game 5 is set for Wednesday night with the Lakers aiming to close out the series at home.
For now, nothing has changed.
The decision will come down to how Reaves feels in the final hours before tipoff — and whether that’s enough to trust his body in a playoff setting where every possession matters.
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