The Los Angeles Lakers have navigated the early part of the season impressively well, considering their injury list. LeBron James has yet to suit up due to a right sciatica issue, Luka Dončić has already missed time, and now Austin Reaves has been sidelined with a mild groin strain. Yet, even with those absences, Los Angeles has managed to open the season with a 7–3 record, showing early resilience under head coach JJ Redick.
Redick Offers Encouraging Update
Reaves has missed the last three games, but both his coach and the medical staff have downplayed the severity of the injury.
“Yeah, he did have imaging. He’s got a mild strain. His pain is really low right now,” Redick said via Southern California News Group. “This is precautionary given the nature of [the potential of a] more serious injury to that area. Don’t know when he’ll be back, but given the fact that his pain is really low right now, I would expect him to be back at some point on this trip.”
Reaves is reportedly staying active during the team’s five-game road swing and even joked about playing golf while he recovers—an encouraging sign that the Oklahoma native is moving comfortably.
Support Local and Independent Sports Writing – Subscribe To the LAFB Network Today!
A Breakout Year Before the Setback
Gotta have the Latest from LA + LUKA Mind-meld
Before the injury, Reaves was on a scoring tear, highlighted by a 28-point, 16-assist outing against the Timberwolves, capped by a game-winning shot. When sharing the court with Dončić, the Lakers are 3–1, and both players have thrived off each other’s creativity and spacing. In games without Reaves, Dončić hasn’t topped 35 points—a sign of how much the duo feeds off one another.
Redick has praised their chemistry, noting the pair’s shared competitiveness and “healthy trash talk” as key to their on-court rhythm.
Looking Ahead
Los Angeles will need that connection soon. With challenging road matchups against Oklahoma City and Milwaukee ahead, the Lakers can’t afford extended absences. James’ return timeline remains uncertain, but Reaves’ low-level strain and optimistic prognosis provide some relief.
In a season already defined by improvisation and grit, the Lakers’ ability to stay afloat without their stars might be their most encouraging sign yet.