Lakers Lose Austin Reaves for Season After Grade 2 Oblique Strain

The Lakers announced Austin Reaves will miss the remainder of the regular season with a Grade 2 left oblique muscle injury.

“Austin Reaves (oblique) joins Luka Dončić among injured Lakers: Where does Los Angeles go from here”

CBS Sports

The injury is expected to sideline Reaves for four to six weeks, likely missing the entire first round of the playoffs.

CBS Sports

Reaves suffered the injury when he reached back to tap a loose ball to himself.

He initially remained in the game but appeared uncomfortable and was taken out in the third quarter after Doncic went down.

The 27-year-old has emerged as one of the Lakers' top players, averaging career highs in points, assists, and rebounds.

Reaves injury compounds the Lakers offensive woes as they face a depleted roster.

The Lakers have relied heavily on Doncic and Reaves along with LeBron James.

ESPN

With their two leading scorers out, they face the task of holding the No. 3 seed.

The Lakers have five games remaining and hold the tiebreaker against Denver, Houston, and Minnesota.

The Lakers encountered a complication with Reaves injury assessment.

“The Los Angeles Lakers appeared to have taken another hit to their lineup with only five games remaining before the playoffs tip-off”

Fox News

The Dallas facility scanned the wrong area, prompting a second MRI.

Coach Redick said the mistake was not on the Lakers end.

This added to a season marked by unexpected challenges.