Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Lakers
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Luka Doncic slaps hands with Austin Reaves of the Los Angeles Lakers in the second half of play against the San Antonio Spurs.
The Los Angeles Lakers received encouraging news on Austin Reaves while monitoring a new concern surrounding Luka Dončić, underscoring the delicate injury balance facing the team midway through its road trip.
Reaves was upgraded to questionable on the official NBA injury report, a notable step forward that signals his return could come as soon as Friday against the Washington Wizards.
ESPN’s Dave McMenamin provided further context on Reaves’ progress before Wednesday’s loss in Cleveland, noting the Lakers remain optimistic he will rejoin the lineup before the trip concludes.
“The Lakers are still hopeful they will get Reaves back in the lineup at some point on this road trip,” McMenamin said. “There’s still three more games after the Cleveland game. They go to D.C. to play the Wizards, then they go to New York for a pair of games against the Knicks and the Nets.”
Lakers’ Reaves Ramps Up Without Setbacks
McMenamin added that Reaves has steadily increased his on-court workload since suffering a right calf strain on Christmas Day against the Houston Rockets.
“Austin’s been ramping up behind the scenes, playing in what they call ‘stay ready’ games, basically five-on-five with some of the bench players and some of the coaches,” McMenamin said. “So far, there have been no setbacks whatsoever.”
Before the injury, Reaves was enjoying the most productive stretch of his career. Through 22 games, he averaged 27.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.0 steal, emerging as a consistent secondary scorer and playmaker alongside Dončić.
His potential return would provide a timely boost for a Lakers lineup that has leaned heavily on its stars during recent weeks.
Dončić Listed Questionable After Ankle Scare in Lakers Loss
As Reaves nears a comeback, Dončić has appeared on the injury report as questionable following an unsettling moment in Cleveland.
During the Lakers’ game against the Cavaliers, Dončić twisted his ankle while attempting a 3-pointer near the bench area, where the court surface is slightly elevated. The incident prompted immediate concern as he limped to the locker room for evaluation.
Dončić later returned and finished the game, posting 29 points, five rebounds and six assists in 29 minutes. He shot 12-of-20 from the field and 3-of-8 from beyond the arc, gutting out the remainder of the contest.
Despite finishing the game, Dončić acknowledged afterward that the scare lingered.
“I kind of got scared, it wasn’t a great feeling,” Dončić told reporters. “Looking back at the video, I think I got a little bit lucky. It hurts more now, but I tried to go.”
Court Safety Draws Scrutiny
The incident immediately drew comparisons to a previous injury on the same floor. In 2023, Miami Heat guard Dru Smith suffered a season-ending ACL tear after landing awkwardly near the Cavaliers’ bench area.
“That’s the first thing I thought,” Dončić said, referencing Smith’s injury. “That’s why I got scared. It’s the only court that’s like this, so I guess it’s my fault, so I stopped jumping like that.”
Lakers head coach JJ Redick openly criticized the Cavaliers’ court setup when asked about the play.
“There’s been a number of injuries over the years in this building because of the floor,” Redick said. “It is absolutely a safety hazard, and I don’t know why it’s still like that.
“You can lodge formal complaints, but a lot of times you don’t see any change when you lodge a formal complaint.”
Heavy Load Raises Durability Concerns
The timing of Dončić’s ankle issue is particularly sensitive given his workload. The Lakers star leads the NBA in scoring at 33.6 points per game and ranks fourth in minutes played at 36.3 per night.
Dončić has acknowledged playing through groin soreness that has worsened in recent weeks, adding to durability concerns as the season progresses.
Los Angeles has already navigated multiple injury interruptions involving Dončić this season, including a left finger sprain, a lower left leg contusion and a recurring leg issue that resurfaced in December.
As the Lakers balance Reaves’ imminent return with Dončić’s status, the coming games could prove pivotal in stabilizing both their rotation and their health heading deeper into the schedule.