The Los Angeles Lakers opened their first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets with a 107-98 Game 1 win, but one of the biggest questions around the team remains the status of Austin Reaves. The Lakers guard will stay out for Game 2 as he continues recovering from the oblique injury suffered on April 2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Reaves has now missed multiple weeks, and his absence remains significant for a Lakers team already playing without Luka Doncic. Even after winning the series opener behind LeBron James, Luke Kennard, and Deandre Ayton, Los Angeles continues to wait for one of its top scorers to return.
The uncertainty matters because Reaves had the best season of his career before the injury, averaging 23.3 points, 5.5 assists, and 4.7 rebounds in 51 games. With the Lakers trying to advance past Houston, the latest timeline around his recovery has become a central playoff storyline.
Austin Reaves Return Timeline After Oblique Injury
GettyLos Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves
Reaves injured his oblique during the Lakers’ April 2 loss to Oklahoma City. Soon after the injury, Shams Charania said Reaves was expected to miss at least four to six weeks.
That original timeline placed the start of his recovery window in late April and could extend into early or mid-May, depending on progress. Based on that schedule, Reaves was always expected to miss at least the opening portion of the Rockets series.
He has already been ruled out for Game 2. While Reaves has been present around the team and took part in light shooting work during Monday’s practice, the activity was limited to non-contact drills such as free throws.
That is an encouraging sign of progress, but it does not indicate an immediate return.
Khobi Price of The California Post wrote that an accelerated recovery could create a possible opening later in the series.
“And with Reaves’ injury, which is expected to sideline him four to six weeks, about pain management in addition to recovery, a sped-up return in which he’s back on the floor in the earlier part of his recovery window could have him playing as soon as Game 5,” Price wrote.
At this stage, the Lakers have not announced an official return date, but Reaves could return for Game 5.
LeBron James Lakers Managing Without Austin Reaves vs Houston Rockets
GettyLos Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James
Even without Reaves and Doncic, Los Angeles handled Game 1 behind veteran leadership and balanced scoring.
James finished with 19 points and 13 assists, controlling the pace throughout the game. Kennard scored a playoff career-high 27 points, while Ayton added 19 points and 11 rebounds. Marcus Smart and Rui Hachimura also scored in double figures.
That performance showed the Lakers can compete while short-handed, but Reaves’ return would still be a major boost.
He was one of the team’s most productive players during the regular season, giving Los Angeles secondary scoring, playmaking, and perimeter shot creation. Those skills become even more valuable in a playoff series where possessions tighten, and defensive adjustments increase.
Head coach JJ Redick has also spoken positively about having injured players around the group during practices. On Luka Doncic rejoining team sessions in a limited role, Redick said, “It’s been really nice… I think having the group together two out of the last three days has been really nice.”
That same dynamic applies to Reaves, who remains engaged while working through recovery.
For now, the most realistic outlook is that Reaves continues rehab while the Lakers monitor pain management and functional movement. If the series extends deep enough and he responds well, a late-series return remains possible. If not, the Lakers would likely need to advance without him before any comeback becomes realistic.
Game 2 is scheduled for Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena, where Los Angeles will try to take a 2-0 lead while still waiting on two of its top scorers. Reaves’ next major milestone will likely be increased on-court activity, followed by reevaluation for a possible return later in the postseason.
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