Lakers say Austin Reaves has a “mild” left calf strain, reevaluation in a week

Los Angeles Lakers defender Austin Reaves has a near calf strain and volition beryllium reevaluated successful astir a week, the squad announced Friday, creating caller uncertainty for a nine already searching for traction connected the roadworthy and connected defense. The Lakers called the wounded “mild,” adjacent arsenic calf strains often sideline NBA players for astatine slightest 2 to 4 weeks.

Reaves, 27, has been 1 of the team’s biggest stories this season. He is putting up vocation highs crossed the board, averaging 27.8 points, 6.7 assists, and 5.6 rebounds, portion hovering adjacent the 50/40/90 thresholds (50.3% from the field, 36.9% from three, 87.5% astatine the line). However, his accumulation dipped sharply successful the Lakers’ past 2 games, erstwhile helium averaged 13.0 points and changeable 28.1%.

Redick points to workload arsenic docket tightens

Before Los Angeles’ 132-119 nonaccomplishment to the San Antonio Spurs successful the NBA Cup quarterfinals connected Wednesday, manager JJ Redick said the caller tally of games had been dense connected Reaves.

“Our show squad mentioned that the 2 games back-to-back [in Toronto and Boston] and past Philly again, those were 3 precise taxing games successful presumption of his some strength and workload,” Redick said.

The timing matters. The Lakers are acceptable to play 3 roadworthy games successful the adjacent week: astatine Phoenix connected Sunday, astatine Utah connected Thursday, and against the Clippers adjacent Saturday astatine the Intuit Dome. A one-week reevaluation leaves unfastened the question of whether Reaves tin marque it done that stretch, oregon whether Los Angeles volition person to spot unneurotic scoring and playmaking without him.

Defense remains the bigger informing sign

Even if Reaves returns quickly, the Lakers person issues that spell beyond 1 player. They person dropped 3 of their past 5 games and are demanding much urgency, particularly connected defense.

Redick said the squad held a movie league Friday aft a modulation breakdown against San Antonio, erstwhile the Lakers allowed 35 fast-break points, their worst people of the season.

“I don't deliberation there's anybody successful that gathering country that thinks we're a bully antiaircraft squad close now,” Redick said, “but I besides don't deliberation there's anybody successful that gathering country who thinks we can't beryllium a bully antiaircraft team. We've got to get better.”