The Los Angeles Lakers shocked the NBA world on Monday night.
The talented Western Conference squad entered their eighth regular season contest (Portland Trail Blazers) without Austin Reaves (right groin soreness), LeBron James (sciatica), and Luka Doncic (lower left leg contusion management), resulting in them being underdogs boasting a better record.
Surprisingly, the Lakers found a way to prevail with all three of the stars sidelined, as Deandre Ayton, Rui Hachimura, and Nick Smith Jr. combined for 82 points to lift Los Angeles to a 123-115 road victory.
That said, it’s a bit concerning that the Lakers have struggled to stay healthy thus far. It doesn’t help that Reaves, who’s averaging 31.1 points and 9.3 assists per game, is on the organization’s injury report ahead of their Wednesday night contest against the San Antonio Spurs.
Is Austin Reaves playing vs. the Spurs tonight?
Reaves is listed as questionable for tonight’s contest with right groin soreness. The Oklahoma product has been playing at an All-Star caliber level with the Lakers this season.
The undrafted 6-foot-5 guard is the Los Angeles’ No. 3 scoring option, but has proven he can hold his own when asked to lead the way for the franchise.
From playing textbook pick-and-roll basketball with Deandre Ayton to exerting the confidence necessary to take and make an unorthodox floater at the buzzer to seal a victory for Los Angeles, Reaves has been everything the Lakers were hoping he’d be, and then some.
Los Angeles could certainly use Reaves’ services against the Spurs tonight.
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