Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves is nearing a return to action as the Lakers face the Chicago Bulls tonight.
Coach JJ Redick confirmed that Reaves would be available during the team’s eight-game road trip, but it won’t be against the Bulls.
What is Lakers Austin Reaves Status Report?
According to the Lakers’ status report, Reaves (left calf strain) and Adou Thiero (right MCL sprain) are out for the game.
However, good news is just around the corner for the Lakers, with Reaves preparing to make a return on Wednesday against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
ESPN’s Dave McMenamin said, “JJ Redick says until Austin Reaves is back, which could occur as soon as Cleveland, the Lakers are going to stay with its starting lineup of LeBron James, Luka Dončić, Deandre Ayton, Jake LaRavia and Marcus Smart.”
Reaves suffered his grade two left calf strain in the Lakers’ Christmas Day game against the Houston Rockets and has been out since.
The Lakers have played 15 games in his absence, losing seven of those, signalling how important Reaves is to the Lakers’ offence.
Reaves’ side still holds a spot in the top six of the Western Conference, sitting fifth with 27 wins and 17 losses.
Before the injury, Reaves was coming into his own, producing All-NBA level numbers and forming a formidable partnership with Luka Dončić.
This season, Reaves has averaged 26.6 points, 6.3 assists, and 5.2 rebounds, all career highs.
He’s averaged a career-high 20.2 points on some highly efficient shooting. He’s registering 50.7% from the field and 36.5% from beyond the arc.
Reaves has been imperative to the Lakers on the offensive end, but will his return fix the issues they are facing on defence?
Former NBA All-Star DeMarcus Cousins spoke on the ‘Run It Back’ show and claimed that Reaves will not fix the Lakers.
“I think it’s the same issues moving forward, the same conversations will come out of Austin Reaves returning.”
“I’m not saying the Lakers won’t be better with their other star returning, but it doesn’t fix the issues of the team.”
The Lakers have allowed 117.8 points per 100 possessions and 121.9 points per 100 possessions when LeBron James is on the floor.
Reaves hasn’t made a name for himself on defence, but his offence will help the Lakers outscore teams despite their defensive efforts.
Tonight, the Lakers face a Chicago Bulls team on its best run of form this season, having won its last four games, including a win over the Boston Celtics.
Will the Bulls make it five wins in a row, or can the Lakers go into Reaves’ return game full of confidence?
