NBA news: Austin Reaves out for rest of Lakers season with left oblique injury
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The Los Angeles Lakers appear to have taken another hit to their roster with just five games remaining before the start of the playoffs.
The Lakers will be without Austin Reaves for the remainder of the regular season due to a left oblique muscle injury. ESPN first reported on Saturday. Reaves is expected to be out of action for 4-6 weeks. The team will play an away game against the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday.
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Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves tackles Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell during the first half of an NBA game on April 2, 2026 in Oklahoma City. (Gerald Leong/AP)
The franchise later announced the injury.
Reaves has emerged as one of the Lakers’ best players since joining Los Angeles ahead of the 2021-22 season. The former Oklahoma and Wichita State player joined the Lakers as an undrafted free agent. He began earning starting time in his third season with the franchise.
The 27-year-old player played in 51 matches this year. He averages 23.3 points, 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game. He played 27 minutes in the team’s 139-96 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night.
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Lakers guard Austin Reaves brings the ball up the court in the second half against the Washington Wizards on March 30, 2026 in Los Angeles. (Ryan Sun/AP)
Reaves’ season-ending injury comes a day after the team also lost Luka Doncic for the remainder of the regular season with a left hamstring strain. Doncic was competing for the NBA MVP award and scored 600 points in March.
“Our mission has not changed,” Lakers head coach JJ Redick said in a statement earlier Saturday. “The rest of these guys and my team, we’re chasing the No. 3 seed and we’re going to try to win a playoff series.”
If Reaves declines his player option for the 2026-27 season, he will be eligible for a lucrative contract extension in the offseason. Reports have indicated that Reaves will likely reject this option.
The Lakers’ last game of the season will be played against the Utah Jazz on April 12.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves tackles Washington Wizards guard Will Riley during the second half of an NBA game on March 30, 2026 in Los Angeles. (Ryan Sun/AP)
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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