HOUSTON — The Lakers will have to wait at least one more game before they’re able to get one of their star guards back in the lineup.
Austin Reaves was downgraded from questionable to out for Friday’s Game 3 against the Rockets at Toyota Center.
Reaves has been sidelined since suffering a Grade 2 left oblique strain, an injury that typically comes with a 4-6 week recovery timeline.
The fifth-year guard, along with fellow star guard Luka Doncic (Grade 2 left hamstring strain), suffered the regular season-ending injury during the April 2 loss to the Thunder.
He and Doncic missed the final five games of the regular season with their respective injuries.
Reaves had been seen shooting after practices over the last week, including after Thursday’s practice at the team’s practice facility before the team left for Houston.
When asked about Reaves’ progress Thursday, coach JJ Redick said: “The progression is going.”
Doncic was also seen going through shooting drills on Thursday, with no timetable for his return.
Reaves averaged a career-high 23.3 points to go with 5.5 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.1 steals in a career-low 51 regular season games after also missing significant time in December and January because of a calf strain.
He has a $14.9 million player option for 2026-27 that he’s expected to decline, making him an unrestricted free agent this offseason with the expectation of a significant pay raise.
The Lakers entered Friday up 2-0 in their best-of-seven playoff series against the Rockets.
