Lakers' Austin Reaves Suffers Ankle Sprain In Playoff Game
Lakers Austin Reaves Suffers Ankle Sprain In Playoff Game...
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves left Game 5 against the Denver Nuggets with a right ankle sprain during the third quarter on Thursday night. The injury occurred when Reaves landed awkwardly after contesting a shot, immediately grabbing his ankle in visible pain. Team trainers helped him off the court, and he did not return to the game.
The timing couldn't be worse for the Lakers, who trail the Nuggets 3-2 in the first-round playoff series. Reaves has been a key contributor this postseason, averaging 14.8 points per game while playing heavy minutes. His absence would force coach Darvin Ham to adjust rotations significantly for Sunday's must-win Game 6.
Medical staff diagnosed the injury as a moderate sprain after initial evaluation. While not considered season-ending, Reaves' availability for the next game remains questionable. The team announced he will undergo further imaging Friday to assess the severity.
Fans expressed concern on social media following the injury, with #PrayForReaves trending briefly on Twitter. The 27-year-old guard has become a fan favorite since joining the Lakers as an undrafted free agent in 2021. His gritty play and clutch shooting have made him indispensable to the team's success.
This marks Reaves' first significant injury of the 2025-26 season. He played all 82 regular season games, demonstrating unusual durability for a player with his workload. The Lakers will likely provide another update after Friday's MRI results.
The injury comes at a critical juncture for the franchise. With LeBron James turning 41 next season and Anthony Davis' injury history, the Lakers view Reaves as a cornerstone for their future. Any long-term concerns about his health could impact offseason roster decisions.
Denver leads the series 3-2 heading into Game 6 at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday afternoon. Without Reaves, the Lakers would need increased production from D'Angelo Russell and Gabe Vincent to extend their season. Tipoff is scheduled for 12:30 PM PT on ABC.
