Lakers guard Austin Reaves exited Friday’s game against the Clippers and did not return due to calf soreness, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. He subbed out with just under three minutes left in the first quarter and will receive an MRI on Saturday.
“He was experiencing some tightness in the calf, some soreness,” head coach JJ Redick said. “Was held out as a precaution.”
Forward Rui Hachimura missed Friday’s game entirely after he was ruled out due to a knee strain he suffered on Thursday against the Timberwolves. Hachimura received an MRI on Friday but there’s no timetable for his return. However, Redick expressed that the Lakers are optimistic that Hachimura’s injury isn’t serious.
“It’s still not quite clear on when he will be available to play,” Redick said. “But we’re optimistic.”
More specifically, Hachimura is dealing with left patellar tendinopathy. Redick said Hachimura will be re-assessed in one week, according to McMenamin (Twitter links).
In Reaves’ place, Gabe Vincent received an uptick in minutes and started the second half. Forward Dorian Finney-Smith took over a starting role with Hachimura out.
The surging Lakers will miss both players if either has to miss much time. Reaves has recorded multiple 30-point games since New Year’s Eve and is averaging 23.5 points in his last 11. Hachimura is a full-time starter when healthy, averaging 13.3 points and 5.2 rebounds.
The Lakers have won 15 of their last 18 games to move up the standings, now just a game back of the second seed in the West.
Lakers are 1 gm in back of Denver for 2nd seed. After 58 gms that’s very impressive. Has to be someone out there in buyout market for them right.
Hope Reaves is ok.
Reaves is crucial to my fantasy basketball team, praying it’s nothing serious but pretty sure he’s gonna be out awhile
Lakers playing hair-on-fire defense, absolute max effort, since the trade. Good on them but it’s still the regular season for a while and predictably it has led to lots of little nicks and pulls. There’s a reason teams don’t try to do that all season.