Overview
- The team diagnosed a grade 2 left gastrocnemius strain and set a four-week re-evaluation timeline, indicating a likely month-long absence.
- Austin Reaves was ruled out at halftime of the Christmas loss to the Rockets after 15 first-half minutes with 12 points, one rebound, one assist and one block.
- He had previously missed three games earlier in December with a mild left calf strain before returning on Dec. 23 on monitored minutes.
- Coaches and teammates emphasized caution given calf injuries’ history of leading to more serious tendon problems, with Luka Dončić urging Reaves to take his time.
- The Lakers, who have dropped three straight, expect increased ball-handling for LeBron James and Dončić with Marcus Smart taking on more backcourt minutes.