Lakers Forward Out for Remainder of Season

As the playoffs approach, the Los Angeles Lakers have encountered another setback. Forward Austin Reeves has been diagnosed with a torn left oblique muscle, which will sideline him for the rest of the regular season. Reports suggest he’ll be out for about four to six weeks. Their next game is on Sunday against the Dallas Mavericks.

The injury announcement came shortly after Reaves, who has become a key player for the Lakers since joining the team as an undrafted free agent, excelled in his third season. This year, he has participated in 51 games, averaging 23.3 points, 5.5 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per outing. In the recent loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, he played 27 minutes.

The timing of this injury is particularly challenging, given that star player Luka Doncic will also miss the remainder of the season due to a left hamstring strain. Doncic has been in remarkable form, scoring 600 points in March alone and is a strong contender for the NBA MVP award.

Lakers head coach JJ Redick remained optimistic, stating that the team’s mission hasn’t changed. He emphasized their focus on securing the No. 3 seed and advancing in the playoffs.

If Reaves chooses to decline his player option for the upcoming season, he may be in line for a significant contract extension during the offseason. Reports indicate that he is likely to opt-out.

Looking ahead, the Lakers will play their final game of the season against the Utah Jazz on April 12th.