Austin Reaves Injury Update
Austin Reaves, the guard for the Los Angeles Lakers, won’t be taking the court for their matchup against the San Antonio Spurs this evening due to soreness in his right groin. This marks the second consecutive game he has missed, with his discomfort first occurring during the Lakers’ recent victory over the Miami Heat. Head coach JJ Redick noted that Reaves experienced the issue early in the game on Sunday, leading to his absence in the subsequent contest against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Preparation and Performance
In preparation for the Spurs game, Reaves participated fully in the team’s morning shootaround, engaging in a fun half-court shooting competition alongside star player Luka Doncic and forward Maxi Kleber, as well as other staff members. Despite his active participation, he remains questionable for the game tonight.
Reaves has been a standout performer so far this season, averaging an impressive 31.1 points and leading the team with 9.3 assists per game. Meanwhile, Luka Doncic is expected to play after sitting out the Portland game due to a contusion on his left leg.
Facing the Spurs
Awaiting the Lakers is the towering San Antonio center Victor Wembanyama, who is making waves in the league with averages of 26.7 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 4.7 blocks per game in his third NBA season. Standing at 7 feet 4 inches tall, the 21-year-old has drawn comparisons to remarkable athletes, prompting Lakers center Deandre Ayton to describe him as a once-in-a-generation talent who poses major challenges for any team due to his speed and skill at such a height.
Team Status
It’s worth noting that the Lakers will also have center Jaxson Hayes available, as he has been upgraded from probable to available status after recovering from a right ankle sprain. However, the team will still be without LeBron James (suffering from right sciatica), Adou Thiero (undergoing rehabilitation from left knee surgery), Gabe Vincent (experiencing a left ankle sprain), and Maxi Kleber (dealing with an abdominal muscle strain).
