On Friday night, the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Houston Rockets (in Texas) by a score of 112-108.
They now have a commanding 3-0 lead in their first-round playoff series (despite being without Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic).
In Game 3, the Lakers were led by LeBron James and Marcus Smart who combined to put up 50 points and 16 assists.
Jake Weinbach wrote: “The Lakers are on the verge of sweeping the Rockets even without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. 41-year-old LeBron James, Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard, Rui Hachimura, and JJ Redick have all been brilliant. This team deserves a lot of credit. I don’t think anybody saw this coming.”
Lakers Announce New Austin Reaves Update
GettyLuka Doncic #77 and Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers react during the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on April 24, 2026 in Houston, Texas.
Before Game 4 on Sunday, JJ Redick announced the latest status update on Austin Reaves.
ESPN’s Dave McMenamin wrote: “On a conference call with reporters, Lakers coach JJ Redick says Austin Reaves is going to get up shots this afternoon at the arena. The Lakers will update Reaves’ status for Game 4 at 5 p.m.”
Reaves had finished his fifth 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 last played in a game on April 2.
The former Oklahoma star had been listed as questionable for Game 3, which showed that there was a real chance he’d be able to return to action.
Dan Woike of The Athletic wrote before Game 3: “Austin Reaves will not play Game 3 tonight in Houston as he continues progressing with from his Grade 2 oblique strain. The injury is generally a 4-6 week injury. Today is 3 weeks and a day after he suffered it.”
Social Media Reacts To Latest Reaves Update
GettyThe Los Angeles Lakers look on from the bench during overtime of the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on April 24, 2026 in Houston, Texas.
Here’s what people were saying about the latest update from Redick:
@SimpleImproves: “No reason to play him. 3-0. Let him comeback Game 5”
@primetimejl_: “He needs at least 1 game in before OKC”
@LeLukaShow: “Woke up to this👀👀👀👀”
@24Dparks: “They’ll say he’s a game time decision”
Looking Ahead For The Lakers
GettyLakers head coach JJ Redick points to a player during a game with the Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles Tuesday, March 10, 2026.
The Lakers are the fourth seed after going 53-29.
They are 26-16 in 42 games on the road.
If the Lakers lose Game 4, the teams will head back to Los Angeles for Game 5 on Wednesday.
Whoever wins the series will play the Oklahoma City Thunder or Phoenix Suns in the second round.
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