The Lakers got good news from an MRI performed today on Austin Reaves, sources tell Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link). Reaves left Friday’s game early due to soreness in his right calf, but the medical screening didn’t reveal any serious injury.
Reaves is considered day-to-day, Charania adds, and his status for Sunday’s game with the Clippers has yet to be determined.
Reaves was in the starting lineup Friday night, but he had to be removed after just three minutes. Coach J.J. Redick told reporters that Reaves was “experiencing some tightness in the calf” and was kept out of the rest of the game as a precaution.
Gabe Vincent and Jordan Goodwin filled in for Reaves after he exited the game, and they will likely see an increase in playing time until he can return.
Reaves is an important component for the suddenly torrid Lakers, who are on a five-game winning streak and have moved to within a game of second place in the West.
The 26-year-old shooting guard has become a full-time starter for the first time in his four NBA seasons. He’s averaging a career-high 19.9 points, along with 4.4 rebounds and 6.2 assists through 53 games with .447/.362/.867 shooting splits. His ability to move the ball and hit outside shots makes him a great fit alongside LeBron James and Luka Doncic in a potent Lakers lineup.
Thank God! AR15 Is such an important piece to the Lakers success!!! Hope he gets well soon! Lakers/Celtics Finals!
Goodwin is …good, surprisingly good, But he isn’t on AR15’s level, yet.