Despite all the initial hopes, Austin Reaves will not be making his injury return for the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3 of their first-round series against the Houston Rockets.
Reaves had been upgraded to questionable for Game 3, and throughout the day, signs pointed to him making his playoff debut for the Lakers this season. However, as head coach JJ Redick announced, the star guard will remain out for the time being as he continues to recover from his grade 2 oblique strain.
So, with Reaves out for Game 3, it begs the question of when he is going to come back. Based on recent injury updates, signs point to a potential Reaves return still being close.
Austin Reaves Injury Return Timeline After Game 3 News
GettyDALLAS, TEXAS – JANUARY 07: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers and head coach JJ Redick talk during the second quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on January 07, 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
With Reaves being upgraded to questionable and then being ruled out for Game 3, it appears that the star is still nearing an injury return, despite that not coming on Friday night.
According to NBA insider Shams Charania, despite Reaves’ disappointing status for Lakers fans, Los Angeles already had a plan for if the shooting guard wouldn’t be able to suit up for Game 3. Speaking on NBA Today, Charania said that if he couldn’t make his return on Friday, Game 4 on Sunday.
“He’s getting closer to coming back from a grade 2 oblique injury,” he said. “My understanding is that Austin Reaves is trying to play in Game 3 tonight, if not Game 3 then Game 4.”
So, now that Reaves has been ruled out for Game 3, the Lakers’ next matchup against the Rockets appears to be his most-likely return date. Still, with all the hope that he would make his debut in these playoffs for the Lakers in what could very well be a deciding game in the series, not having the 26-year-old isn’t the greatest of news for Los Angeles.
After Austin Reaves Injury Return News, What About Luka Doncic Coming Back For The Lakers?
GettyHOUSTON, TEXAS – MARCH 18: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates with Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on March 18, 2026 in Houston, Texas.
Though Reaves isn’t playing in Game 3 on Friday night, the fact that he was even upgraded to questionable, before then becoming a game-time decision, is good news for the Lakers.
The star was first reported to be out for four to six weeks with the oblique strain, so just over three weeks after the injury, all signs point to him making significant progress on his recovery.
He has been participating more in practice, and while his official injury return might not come when Lakers fans had hoped, Reaves appears to be on the brink of getting back on the court.
Additionally, while Luka Doncic remains out indefinitely, the Slovenian has gotten back on the court in practice for Los Angeles. However, he isn’t expected to return at any point in the series against Houston.
But every win the Lakers get, the chances of him coming back from his grade 2 hamstring injury only increase. Previously, Redick had hope that if Los Angeles could extend the series against the Rockets, they could potentially get Doncic back. Now, they are in the driver’s seat, up 2-0 in the series, and in a great spot to advance to the second round.
If the Lakers can beat the Rockets and advance, it would be a great sign for a Doncic return, as it would give him up to two more weeks to make a full recovery and at least give him a chance to get back on the court in these playoffs.
Still, as it relates to the task at hand for the Lakers, Game 3 against the Rockets will not feature superstar Kevin Durant, as he continues to deal with an ankle injury.
Los Angeles can go up 3-0 in the series with a win in Game 3. That, for now, will fall on the shoulders of LeBron James, Luke Kennard, Marcus Smart, and the rest of the rotation for Friday night.
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