Lakers guard Austin Reaves will be sidelined for a second consecutive game due to soreness in his right groin, as confirmed by the team on Wednesday. He is set to miss the upcoming game against the San Antonio Spurs after experiencing discomfort during the first quarter of the Lakers’ victory over the Miami Heat on Sunday. Following this, Reaves sat out the back-to-back game against Portland.
Even though Reaves missed the last game, he participated fully in the team’s shootaround on Wednesday morning, engaging in a half-court shooting competition alongside star guard Luka Doncic and forward Maxi Kleber. Reaves has been an impressive contributor this season, averaging 31.1 points per game along with a team-leading 9.3 assists.
Despite Reaves’ absence, the Lakers will benefit from the return of Doncic, who had missed the previous game due to a left leg contusion. Doncic will be available as the Lakers face the Spurs, who feature rising star Victor Wembanyama. The 7-foot-4 center is currently averaging 26.7 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 4.7 blocks per game, showcasing a remarkable blend of skills that has drawn comparisons to legendary characters from popular culture.
Lakers center Deandre Ayton highlighted Wembanyama’s unique talent, describing him as a “once-in-a-generation player” who poses a significant challenge for defenses. “He can do everything,” Ayton remarked, noting Wembanyama’s agility and speed for a player of his size.
Additionally, center Jaxson Hayes has been upgraded to available for Wednesday night’s game after initially being listed as probable due to a right ankle sprain. However, the Lakers will still be without LeBron James, Adou Thiero, Gabe Vincent, and Maxi Kleber, who are all dealing with various injuries.
As the Lakers prepare to face the Spurs, the team remains optimistic about competing without Reaves, relying on its depth and the returning presence of high-impact players like Doncic and Hayes.