URGENT UPDATE: Lakers guard Austin Reaves has exited the Christmas Day game against the Houston Rockets due to a sore left calf, as confirmed by the team just moments ago. Reaves, who had recently returned from a previous calf injury, played only 15 minutes in the first half, scoring 12 points on 5-for-8 shooting before being ruled out at halftime.
The game took place on December 25, 2023, and Reaves had just made his comeback from a mild left calf strain that kept him sidelined for three games prior. In his return, he scored 17 points in 22 minutes against the Phoenix Suns on December 19. Despite his prior success, Lakers coach JJ Redick had placed him on a minutes restriction for this matchup against the Rockets.
As Reaves left the court, Marcus Smart took over as the starting guard for the Lakers in the third quarter, raising concerns about the team’s depth and performance moving forward. The Lakers are currently aiming to maintain their momentum during this critical stretch of the season.
Fans and analysts are closely monitoring Reaves’ condition, as his health is vital for the Lakers’ success this season. The team has not yet provided an update on the severity of his injury or the expected timeline for his return, making this situation increasingly urgent.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops. The impact of Reaves’ injury could be significant for the Lakers as they continue their push for the playoffs.
