LOS ANGELES — Lakers guard Austin Reaves has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 gastrocnemius strain in his left calf muscle after undergoing an MRI on Friday, the team announced. This injury is expected to keep the 27-year-old sidelined for approximately four weeks, at which point he will be reevaluated.
A Grade 2 gastrocnemius strain, often known as a pulled calf muscle, results from tears in the fibers of the calf muscle and is common in activities involving rapid movements such as running, jumping, and quick changes in direction on the basketball court.
Reaves was already dealing with calf issues this season, having missed three games earlier due to a mild strain in the same leg. This new injury is unrelated to the prior issue, which had occurred during the Lakers’ Christmas Day game against the Houston Rockets. Despite his ongoing struggles with injuries, Reaves had recently returned to action, scoring 17 points in 22 minutes off the bench in a game against the Phoenix Suns.
In the first half against the Rockets, Reaves had a productive outing with 12 points on 5-for-8 shooting, but he was limited to 15 minutes of play before Marcus Smart took over in the third quarter. Coach JJ Redick had indicated that Reaves would be subject to a minutes restriction upon his return.
This setback comes during a challenging stretch for the Lakers, who have lost three consecutive games and six of their last ten, prompting frustration from Redick regarding the team’s effort levels. Currently, the Lakers hold a 19-10 record, placing them fourth in the competitive Western Conference.
During Reaves’ absence, the team faces a challenging schedule with 15 games leading up to January 26, including matchups against strong opponents like the Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, and Denver Nuggets. Reaves has been having a standout season, averaging 26.6 points, 6.3 assists, and 5.2 rebounds, positioning him as a strong candidate for his first All-Star selection.
Despite the adversity, both Reaves and the Lakers remain hopeful for a swift recovery and improvement in their performance as they navigate a crucial part of the season.