Skip to content The Austin Reaves injury could have derailed the highest-scoring tandem in basketball, but the Los Angeles Lakers guard will not even need imaging on his bruised heel. Los Angeles dodged major structural damage after both of its primary offensive engines limped out of a bruising win over the Milwaukee Bucks.
Head coach JJ Redick told reporters on Friday that Reaves remains day-to-day. The team chose not to send him for an MRI or X-rays after examining his foot.
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That decision brings immediate relief to a locker room that watched two stars exit the floor in the same game. Reaves has turned into an indispensable weapon for Los Angeles, and losing him for extended time would have wrecked the team’s perimeter rotation.
What Redick said about the Austin Reaves injury
Redick clarified the medical staff’s stance during his Friday media session. The team evaluated the guard the morning after the Milwaukee game and saw enough progress to skip hospital visits.
“AR, based on his physical evaluation and how he was feeling yesterday, we opted against imaging. He’ll be day-to-day. We’ll have him on the report tomorrow at 5 o’clock.”
The guard took a beating against the Bucks before checking out for good. Still, avoiding foot scans suggests the bruise is purely a pain-tolerance issue rather than a deep bone or ligament problem.
Why the Austin Reaves injury update matters for LA
Losing Reaves would gut an attack that currently relies on historic production from its guards. Reaves ranks 15th in the league in scoring, pouring in 24.7 points per game while handling heavy playmaking duties.
Together with Luka Dončić, he forms the most lethal scoring duo in the NBA today. No two teammates across the league combine for more points every night.
If the Austin Reaves injury keeps him out for a contest, the bench must absorb those shot attempts. Yet knowing his absence will be brief allows the coaching staff to plan without panic.
Luka Dončić and Collin Sexton avoid setbacks
The good news on the injury report did not stop with Reaves. Dončić also left Friday’s contest early after tweaking his ankle, but he reassured reporters immediately after the final buzzer that he felt good.
Redick confirmed that stance on Friday, stating he expects Dončić to play in the next game. Dončić currently leads the entire league with 38.6 points per game while ranking ninth with 7.6 assists.
Rotation guard Collin Sexton also took damage against Milwaukee when he collided with Bucks guard Ryan Rollins. Sexton required stitches over his right eye to close a cut, but doctors cleared him of a concussion. Redick explained that Sexton sits in the same day-to-day boat as Reaves heading into the weekend.
Phoenix showdown next on the schedule
Dodging long-term damage keeps Los Angeles competitive during a rugged stretch of the calendar. An extended Austin Reaves injury would have put enormous pressure on Dončić to carry the entire offense alone.
Instead, the coaching staff will monitor Reaves and Sexton during pregame warmups to decide their status. The team must submit its official availability report Saturday afternoon ahead of the trip to Arizona.
The Lakers take on the Phoenix Suns on Sunday at Footprint Center, with tip-off set for 1 p.m. PT.
Source: Yahoo Sports
