Lakers' Austin Reaves to miss signifiant time with injury as team takes another blow before playoffs

The Los Angeles Lakers appeared to person taken different deed to their lineup pinch only 5 games remaining earlier nan playoffs tip-off.

The Lakers will beryllium without Austin Reaves for nan remainder of nan regular play arsenic nan defender suffered a near oblique musculus injury, ESPN first reported connected Saturday. Reaves is reportedly expected to miss 4-6 weeks. The squad will person a roadworthy crippled against nan Dallas Mavericks connected Sunday.

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Los Angeles Lakers defender Austin Reaves drives against Oklahoma City Thunder defender Ajay Mitchell during nan first half of an NBA crippled successful Oklahoma City connected April 2, 2026. (Gerald Leong/AP)

The franchise later announced the injury.

Reaves has emerged arsenic 1 of nan Lakers’ apical players since he joined Los Angeles earlier nan 2021-22 season. The erstwhile Oklahoma and Wichita State subordinate joined nan Lakers arsenic an undrafted free agent. He started to gain starting clip during his 3rd play pinch nan franchise.

The 27-year-old has played successful 51 games this year. He’s averaging 23.3 points, 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game. He played 27 minutes successful nan team’s 139-96 nonaccomplishment to nan Oklahoma City Thunder connected Thursday night.

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Lakers defender Austin Reaves brings nan shot up tribunal during nan 2nd half against nan Washington Wizards successful Los Angeles connected March 30, 2026. (Ryan Sun/AP)

Word of Reaves’ season-ending ailment came a time aft nan squad besides lost Luka Doncic for nan remainder of nan regular play pinch a near hamstring strain. Doncic was successful nan moving for nan NBA MVP grant and scored 600 points successful nan period of March.

"Our mission, it hasn’t changed," Lakers caput coach J.J. Redick said earlier Saturday. "The remainder of these guys and my staff, we’re going aft nan 3-seed, and we’re going to effort to triumph a playoff series."

Reaves will beryllium eligible for a lucrative statement hold successful nan offseason if he declines his subordinate action for nan 2026-27 season. Reports indicated that Reaves will apt diminution nan option.

The Lakers’ last crippled of nan play will travel connected April 12 against nan Utah Jazz.

Los Angeles Lakers defender Austin Reaves drives against Washington Wizards defender Will Riley during nan 2nd half of an NBA crippled successful Los Angeles connected March 30, 2026. (Ryan Sun/AP)

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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