The Los Angeles Lakers have been dealing with injuries all season and that continues with it being announced that Austin Reaves will miss at least a month of action with a grade 2 calf strain.
This injury is an unfortunate one as Reaves was in the midst of an All-Star caliber season and is a big reason why the Lakers sit at 19-10. Calf issues are tricky though, so it’s not something the guard can rush back from as that would risk more serious injury.
In the meantime, the Lakers will need to find a way to manage without Reaves and Deandre Ayton discussed how they will do so.
“Like I said, we’ve been playing with guys that have been missing, especially our superstars, AR, Luka and LeBron. We’ve only played with the full team for two games this season,” Ayton said after practice on Saturday. “We don’t really know what that looks like having a full team, especially facing adversity like how we’re facing now. I feel like JJ has put us in positions and has our mental stamina to where it’s at to where we’re not always gonna have our guys and he’s gonna coach the group the right way and make sure we are in good positions to win these games. I just feel like that’s how we woke up this morning and how we’re motivated as well to continue on the season no matter who’s out there.”
Rui Hachimura also expressed compassion for his teammate while talking about how the Lakers will make up for the loss of Reaves.
“Yeah, it’s tough. Especially because I know calf injuries, it’s no joke,” Hachimura said. “He has to take care of that first. But as a team, of course we’re gonna miss him. He brings energy and what he brings offensively. But this has happened before, we were missing Bron the first 12 games and somebody had to step up and we kind of did. This time with Austin out, somebody’s gotta step up and we gotta play for each other. I know we care that he’s out, but we have to focus on us right now and trying to get back on track. Once he’s back, we’ll be ready to roll again.”
There obviously will be more pressure on Luka Doncic and LeBron James to run the Lakers’ offense without Reaves, but guys like Ayton and Hachimura will also need to pick up the slack as well.
JJ Redick ‘bummed’ for Austin Reaves
Lakers head coach JJ Redick has grown close with Reaves and expressed how bad he feels that the 27-year-old will miss extended time.
“I think the biggest thing right now, at least yesterday when I talked to him, I’m bummed for him. I feel for him,” Redick said. “When you have an injury that’s a longer-term injury than just like an ankle sprain or a tweaked hamstring where you know you’re gonna be back in a week, there’s a little bit of a grieving process and I think there’s importance in respecting that grieving process. But I’m bummed for him.”
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