Lakers Share Austin Reaves Injury Update Before Game 3 vs. Rockets
Austin Reaves is making progress, and the Los Angeles Lakers could be getting him back at just the right time.
Reaves has been cleared for the next phase of his rehab after suffering a Grade 2 oblique strain on April 2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the same night Luka Doncic went down with a hamstring injury.
In the injury report released Thursday ahead of Game 3, Reaves is listed as questionable for Friday's matchup against the Houston Rockets. Doncic remains out, per ESPN's Dave McMenamin.
Jake LaRavia is also off the injury list after tweaking his ankle in Game 2. He practiced Thursday and is ready for Game 3.
Lakers Could Get Austin Reaves' Return Sooner Than Expected
Getting Reaves back on the floor would be a massive boost for Los Angeles. He finished as the Lakers' second-leading scorer this regular season, posting career highs with 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game.
That kind of production isn't easy to replace, and the Lakers have felt that absence through the opening two games of this series against Houston.
His recovery is moving through stages. The next potential step would involve halfcourt 3-on-3 work before he advances to full-court activity, including 5-on-5 scrimmages. The progression is steady, and the playoff schedule is working in his favor.
Los Angeles holds a 2-0 series lead. If the Lakers close things out early, both Reaves and Doncic could realistically be available for the second round. Doncic has already been spotted getting shots up at Lakers practice, which is encouraging even though he won't be suiting up during this first-round series against the Rockets.
The remaining schedule gives Reaves every chance to return if the series goes deep. Game 4 stays in Houston on April 26. Game 5 comes back to Los Angeles on April 29, Game 6 heads to Houston on May 1 and a potential Game 7 would be at the Lakers' home floor on May 3.
All of those dates fall beyond the four-week mark from when Reaves first got hurt, making a late-series appearance very much on the table.
The Lakers look to be in control of this series. Having their full roster healthy in the rounds ahead would make them a different team entirely.
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This story was originally published April 23, 2026 at 3:36 PM.