While Joel Embiid and Victor Wembanyama returned to the court on Sunday, Austin Reaves remained out despite being questionable for the second straight game. When will Reaves, Kevin Durant, and Luka Doncic return to the court?
Latest Updates On Austin Reaves, Kevin Durant, Luka Doncic, & Kevin Huerter, and When They Will Return To Action
Reaves has yet to make his 2026 NBA playoff debut and missed his ninth straight game overall due to a Grade 2 left oblique strain. Reaves entered Game 4 of the Los Angeles Lakers–Houston Rockets Western Conference series as a game-time decision. But he was ultimately ruled out.
On the plus side, Reaves did go through pregame warmups before being ruled out. Since the Rockets extended the series with the Lakers with a 115-96 victory on Sunday, it would be a surprise that the 26-year-old didn’t return in Game 5 on Wednesday. The Rockets dominated the Lakers last night, taking a 90-65 lead into the fourth. All five Rocket starters scored in double figures for the first time in the series, and Houston forced Los Angeles into 23 turnovers.
Austin Reaves Likely To Play In Game 5?
Reaves, who was given a four-to-six week timetable to return following the injury, has been sidelined since April 2. Wednesday marks the 27th day since the injury. So, if Reaves is mentally ready, expect him to be on the court in Game 5, though in a limited capacity. He will likely be limited to 15-20 minutes and come off the bench when he returns.
“Austin and I had a conversation yesterday for a long time, and I think ultimately the athlete has to feel confidence,” Coach JJ Redick said on Sunday. “And that’s always the final hurdle coming back from an injury, is the psychological component of it.”
The Lakers are 6-3 without Reaves over this nine-game stretch. But they have struggled offensively in the series.
The Lakers are ninth of the 16 playoff teams in offensive efficiency despite making 50% of their field goal attempts and nearly 41% of their 3-point shots. The Lakers, who don’t shoot a ton of threes as it is, are averaging 10 treys a game on just 24.2 attempts. More significantly, they are committing 20 turnovers a game.
“That’s the biggest challenge we have, just the ballhandling and downhill drivers, not having those guys,” Redick said of the absences of Reaves and Luka Doncic.
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
