04/23/26 06:19:00
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04/23 18:18 CDT Austin Reaves is upgraded to questionable for Lakers in
first-round Game 3 against Rockets
Austin Reaves is upgraded to questionable for Lakers in first-round Game 3
against Rockets
By GREG BEACHAM
AP Sports Writer
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) --- Austin Reaves has been upgraded to questionable for
Game 3 of the Los Angeles Lakers' first-round playoff series against the
Houston Rockets.
The Lakers made the designation on their high-scoring guard Thursday while the
team flew to Houston. Los Angeles has a surprising 2-0 series lead heading into
Game 3 on Friday night despite playing without Luka Doncic and Reaves, its top
two scorers.
Reaves hasn't played since he strained his oblique muscles and Doncic strained
his hamstring in a game at Oklahoma City on April 2, but Reaves returned to
on-court basketball activities over the past few days. Before the Lakers'
flight, coach JJ Redick said he had no update on the schedule for his injured
starters' return to play.
Reaves averaged 23.3 points, 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds during an impressive
regular season for the Lakers, although he played in only 51 games due to two
lengthy injury absences. In his fifth season with Los Angeles, the former
undrafted free agent cemented his status as a prolific secondary scorer and
dependable offensive facilitator while the Lakers won 53 games and the Pacific
Division.
But Reaves and NBA scoring champion Doncic were both injured during the Lakers'
blowout loss to the Thunder three weeks ago.
Doncic is still out for Game 3, but Redick said earlier this week that the
Slovenian superstar is expected to begin initial on-court work soon. The Lakers
haven't publicly speculated on the date of either guard's return.
After losing three straight games following the injuries, the Lakers have
regrouped and won five in a row. Los Angeles stunned the NBA by claiming the
first two games of its first-round series at home over the Rockets, who were
perceived as the strong favorites in the series due to the Lakers' injury
problems.
Although 41-year-old LeBron James is leading the way, Luke Kennard and Marcus
Smart also have stepped up impressively in the absence of the Lakers' starting
backcourt. Kennard scored 27 points in Game 1 and 23 in Game 2, and Smart
scored 25 points with five 3-pointers in Game 2 while leading Los Angeles'
impressive defensive effort against Kevin Durant, who managed only three points
after halftime.
Reaves will be eligible for a big new contract this summer if he declines his
option for next season, as expected. Both Reaves and team officials have said
they believe the guard will remain with the Lakers, his favorite team since
childhood.
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