The Los Angeles Lakers are getting a significant boost as they look to close out their first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets. Austin Reaves has been cleared to play in Game 5 against the Houston Rockets, marking his return after missing nine games due to injury. The Lakers hold a commanding 3-1 series lead and can advance to the second round with a win on their home floor Wednesday night.
Austin Reaves' Injury and Recovery Timeline
Reaves suffered a Grade 2 oblique strain during an April 2 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, an injury that sidelined him for the Lakers' final five regular-season games and the first four games of the playoff series. A Grade 2 injury typically takes four to six weeks to heal, which had many expecting the star guard to miss the entire first round.
However, Reaves got back in the fold one day shy of four weeks after his injury — beating the optimistic outlook on an expected four-to-six-week recovery window. His accelerated recovery demonstrates both the medical staff's effective treatment plan and Reaves' dedication to returning to help his team in the playoffs.
Impact on the Lakers' Playoff Run
Reaves averaged a career-high 23.3 points, 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game on 49/36/87 shooting splits during the regular season, establishing himself as one of the Lakers' most important offensive weapons. His return provides a much-needed spark for a Lakers offense that has struggled without him and fellow star Luka Dončić, who remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.
The Lakers offense has scored just 110.1 points per 100 possessions through four games — 11th of the 16 teams in the postseason field, and a rate that would've ranked 29th in the league during the regular season. Despite these offensive challenges, the Lakers have managed to build their 3-1 series advantage through strong defense and contributions from role players.
Lakers' Success Without Their Stars
The Lakers have defied expectations by taking control of the series despite missing both Reaves and Dončić. LeBron James and his supporting cast won the first three games of the first-round series and pushed the favored Rockets to the brink of elimination, even stealing Game 3 in overtime after trailing by six points with 30 seconds left in regulation.
The Lakers have been able to overcome their offensive shortcomings by relying on a steady diet of LeBron James post-ups, knockdown shooting from the trio of Luke Kennard, Marcus Smart and Rui Hachimura, and an excellent defensive game plan from Redick. Head coach JJ Redick's defensive schemes have repeatedly frustrated the Rockets throughout the series.
What to Expect from Reaves in Game 5
Coach JJ Redick said Austin Reaves would come off the bench and play restricted minutes in his first game back from injury. This cautious approach makes sense given the length of his absence and the nature of oblique injuries, which can easily be reaggravated if a player pushes too hard too soon.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick told reporters that ultimately the athlete has to feel confidence, and that's always the final hurdle coming back from an injury, is the psychological component of it. The mental aspect of returning from injury is just as important as the physical recovery, particularly in high-stakes playoff basketball.
Rockets Face Uphill Battle
The Rockets' task becomes even more difficult with Reaves returning to the Lakers lineup. Houston has been dealing with its own injury issues, as veteran star Kevin Durant is expected to again be sidelined with a bone bruise and sprained ankle, and Durant played in Game 2 of the series but has missed every other contest.
The Lakers have not advanced past the first round since 2023, when they went to the Western Conference finals. With Reaves back in the lineup and a chance to close out the series at home, the Lakers are positioned to end that drought and advance to face the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round.
Game 5 represents a crucial opportunity for Los Angeles to finish the job and gain momentum heading into what promises to be a challenging second-round matchup. The return of Austin Reaves, even in a limited role, provides the Lakers with another offensive weapon and playmaker as they look to extend their playoff run.
Sources & Original Reporting
