Overview
- Reaves’ injury is a mild, grade 1 left calf strain, with the team setting a one-week timeline for re-evaluation.
- Based on that schedule, he is expected to miss the upcoming road games at Phoenix and Utah, with an earliest possible return against the Clippers on Dec. 20.
- Reaves is in the midst of a career year, averaging 27.8 points, 6.7 assists and 5.6 rebounds on efficient shooting.
- Coaches anticipate lineup adjustments, with Gabe Vincent likely to start and Marcus Smart seeing expanded minutes, plus more ballhandling from James and Dončić.
- The Lakers stress medical caution given how calf strains are managed league-wide, as they also address recent defensive slippage after three losses in five games.