Overview
- An MRI confirmed a Grade 2 left gastrocnemius strain for Austin Reaves, and the Lakers said he will be re-evaluated in about four weeks.
- Reaves exited the Christmas Day loss to the Rockets after 15 first-half minutes with renewed calf soreness, and Marcus Smart opened the second half in his place.
- The guard had missed three games earlier this month with a left calf strain and had returned on Dec. 23 before aggravating the same leg.
- Reaves is in the midst of a career year at roughly 26.6 points, 6.3 assists and 5.2 rebounds, making his absence a major blow for Los Angeles during a three-game skid.
- The four-week window could cost him roughly 14 games and lands just before the Feb. 5 trade deadline, with coaches and teammates stressing a cautious approach given calf re-injury risks.