Is Austin Reaves playing for Lakers tonight vs. Rockets? originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
All eyes will be on the Los Angeles Lakers at 10 p.m. on Wednesday, as the 17-time NBA champions can put the Houston Rockets out of their misery and continue their championship quest.
Of course, it’s worth noting that the Lakers have jumped out to a 3-1 series lead without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves’ masterful offensive contributions. Doncic is currently out with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, with Reaves nursing a Grade 2 oblique injury.
Doncic has already been ruled out for the Lakers’ Game 5 clash against the Rockets, but things are a bit more complicated for Reaves.
Unlike Doncic, Reaves is listed as questionable on the official injury report for the highly anticipated playoff duel. It’s clear that Reaves, who averaged 23.3 points per game in the regular season while shooting 49.0% from the field and 36.0% from beyond the arc, is clearly progressing well and could make his 2026 playoff debut on Wednesday.
However, would the Lakers be better off finishing what they started without Reaves, and giving the breakout star extra time to recover from his latest setback? Perhaps, considering Los Angeles is fully capable of advancing to the second round with their current lineup.
That said, if the Lakers determine Reaves is good to go, they likely won’t hesitate to welcome him back to the lineup ahead of their upcoming postseason battle.
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