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
GettyAustin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers makes a pass in the first quarter of the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on March 16, 2026 in Houston, Texas.
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).
NBA Social Media Reacts
GettyAustin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after a foul during the second half of the basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on November 10, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Here’s what people were saying about the news:
Brett Siegel: “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.”
@damanr: “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: “Lakers have added Austin Reaves to the injury report, listing him now as questionable. We might see Reaves return as soon as Game 3.”
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.
GettyLeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after making a three point shot during the second half of Game One of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena on April 18, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
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.
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