Austin Reaves Injury Update: When Will He Be Back and Return to Lakers?
The Lakers have been without star guard Austin Reaves since Christmas. Reaves was ruled out at halftime of the Lakers’ 119-96 loss to the Rockets on Dec. 25 due to left calf soreness. An MRI later revealed that Reaves was dealing with a Grade 2 calf strain. Lakers fans and fantasy basketball owners are now asking when will Reaves return and be back on the court? We will deliver a Reaves injury update below, with all of the latest information, and look at a potential return date. We will also dive into Lakers betting odds, and Reaves’ fantasy impact.
When will Austin Reaves return and be back with Lakers?
Reaves is currently gearing up for his return to the floor. Lakers head coach JJ Redick said on Jan. 20 that Reaves is “progressing well,” and that he will be back at some point during the Lakers’ eight-game road trip.
Game 2 of LA’s road trip is Thursday night, but Reaves has already been ruled out of that contest. It is possible that he could return for the Lakers’ nationally televised game at the Mavericks on Saturday night. Making an educated guess, though, it is more likely that the Lakers will ease him back into the fold by playing him in a game that is not as emotionally intense. Mavs versus Lakers has become one of the NBA’s most intense rivalries since last year's Luka Doncic trade.
Nonetheless, here is a look at potential Reaves return dates.
- Saturday, Jan. 24: LA Lakers at Dallas Mavericks
- Monday, Jan. 26: LA Lakers at Chicago Bulls
- Friday, Jan. 30: LA Lakers at Washington Wizards
- Sunday, Feb. 1: LA Lakers at New York Knicks
- Tuesday, Feb. 3: LA Lakers at Brooklyn Nets
How much longer will Austin Reaves be out for?
Reaves’ injury is said to have been a Grade 2 calf strain. It typically takes people 3-6 weeks to recover from this type of injury. If Reaves were to return for this Saturday’s game at the Mavericks, he will have been out for four weeks and two days. A full six weeks from the injury would be Feb. 5.
Austin Reaves fantasy basketball stock
Reaves is, not surprisingly, owned in 99% of Yahoo fantasy basketball leagues. The Lakers’ guard is averaging a career-high 26.6 points per game this season. Reaves went in the late second or early third round of most 12-team fantasy basketball leagues during drafts this past fall.
Lakers betting odds
The Lakers are 7-6 since Reaves went down due to injury. They currently own the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference. LA currently has +3500 NBA title odds at the best NBA betting sites.
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