The Los Angeles Lakers have suffered a significant blow to their rotation and their postseason aspirations. Guard Austin Reaves is reportedly out for the remainder of the regular season after being diagnosed with a Grade 2 left oblique muscle injury.
The injury leaves the Lakers without one of their most productive offensive engines during a critical juncture of the race for playoff positioning. According to reports from ESPN’s Shams Charania, Reaves is expected to be sidelined for four to six weeks, meaning he will miss the team’s final five regular-season contests.
This Austin Reaves injury update comes at a precarious moment for Los Angeles. The team is already dealing with the loss of star guard Luka Doncic, who was ruled out with a strained hamstring following the April 2 matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The simultaneous absence of two primary playmakers creates a substantial void in the Lakers’ backcourt as they attempt to solidify their standing in the Western Conference.
Reaves’ absence is particularly felt given the trajectory of his current campaign. In his fifth season since joining the Lakers as an undrafted rookie in 2021, Reaves has put together the most complete season of his professional career. He has averaged a career-high 23.3 points, 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game, while contributing 1.1 steals. His efficiency has also climbed, posting shooting splits of 49% from the field, 36% from beyond the arc, and 87% from the free-throw line.
A season defined by durability struggles
While Reaves’ production has reached new heights, his 2025-26 season has been plagued by recurring lower-body injuries. This oblique strain is the latest in a series of setbacks that have interrupted his rhythm.
Earlier this season, Reaves was forced to miss 19 consecutive games due to a Grade 2 left calf strain sustained on Christmas Day during a game against the Houston Rockets. Prior to that extended layoff, Reaves was performing at an even higher level, averaging 26.1 points, 6.0 assists, and 5.2 rebounds.
The Christmas injury was not his only calf issue this year; he had previously missed three games between December 14 and December 20 due to a separate calf strain. The pattern of soft-tissue injuries raises questions about his readiness for the high-intensity environment of the NBA postseason, which begins April 14 with the SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament.
The battle for the No. 3 seed
The Lakers currently hold a 50-27 record, placing them at the No. 3 spot in the Western Conference. However, their grip on that position is tenuous. Los Angeles currently holds a slim one-game lead over the Denver Nuggets and a two-game lead over the fifth-seeded Houston Rockets.
With five games remaining, the Lakers face a gauntlet of elite Western Conference opponents. The loss of Reaves and Doncic makes the quest to maintain home-court advantage significantly more challenging.
| Date | Opponent |
|---|---|
| Sunday, April 5 | Dallas Mavericks |
| Tuesday, April 7 | Oklahoma City Thunder |
| Thursday, April 9 | Golden State Warriors |
| Friday, April 10 | Phoenix Suns |
| Sunday, April 12 | Utah Jazz |
Playoff implications and potential matchups
The current standings suggest a first-round clash between the No. 3 Lakers and the No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves. This would be a rematch of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, a series in which Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves eliminated Los Angeles in five games (4-1). Without the full strength of their backcourt, the Lakers may find it difficult to repeat the success of their regular season against a physical Minnesota squad.
Should the Lakers slide in the standings over the next two weeks, other scenarios emerge. A drop of one spot could set up a first-round series against the Houston Rockets. Depending on how the final games shake out, this could result in a high-stakes postseason encounter between LeBron James and Kevin Durant.
the Lakers and Denver Nuggets could face each other for the fourth time since 2020 if Houston climbs to the third seed and Los Angeles and Denver battle for the fourth and fifth spots. The volatility of the Western Conference means that every remaining game is critical for determining who holds home-court advantage.
Future outlook and contract status
Beyond the immediate playoff concerns, the injury adds a layer of uncertainty to Reaves’ professional future. He is expected to become an unrestricted free agent in July 2026. While his career-high production this season has significantly increased his market value, the recurring nature of his injuries could be a factor in contract negotiations this summer.
The Lakers’ immediate focus remains on the April 14 start of the postseason. The medical staff will be monitoring both Reaves and Doncic closely to determine if their recovery timelines align with the start of the first round.
Disclaimer: This article contains information regarding sports injuries; for medical advice regarding muscle strains or oblique injuries, please consult a licensed healthcare professional.
The next official update regarding Austin Reaves’ recovery status is expected following the team’s game against the Dallas Mavericks on April 5. We invite you to share your thoughts on the Lakers’ playoff chances in the comments below.
