Lakers Austin Reaves will not play vs. Washington

WASHINGTON — The Lakers missing Austin Reaves is an understatement. 

And how much they’ve missed him while he’s been sidelined because of a strained left calf has also been established. 

While Reaves’ return to the floor will have to wait for at least one more game, with the Lakers downgrading Reaves to out for Friday’s road game against the Wizards after listing him as questionable on Thursday’s injury report, his return to the floor remains imminent.

Reaves, who’s missed 18 consecutive games and 21 of 23 because of a left calf injury, is expected to make his return to the floor in New York before the Lakers’ “Grammy” trip ends, either on Sunday against the Knicks or Tuesday against the Nets.

Coach JJ Redick reassured on Friday that Reaves didn’t have any setbacks and the team was being cautious by not having the 27-year-old guard play against the Wizards.

“He continues to progress,” Redick said of Reaves. “He hasn’t had any setbacks. [Thursday] was five weeks from the injury. He’s right on schedule, if not a little bit ahead of schedule. So it’s just him being fully confident in his body. And he continues to get great work on the court.”

And once Reaves does make his return to he court, the Lakers will once again benefit from having a player in Reaves who was performing at an All-NBA level before his injuries.

But how exactly will the Lakers benefit from Reaves’ return?

Pick-and-roll maestro 

It may not be at the same level as earlier in the season, but the Lakers remain one of the league’s pick-and-roll heavy teams, with Luka Doncic leading the NBA in possessions that end as the pick-and-roll ball handler (11.5).

Doncic is one of the league’s most productive and efficient pick-and-roll maestros – and Reaves is right there with him.

Reaves is the league’s second-most effient high-usage pick-and-roll ball handler, just behind reigning MVP, Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

His improved finishing within 14 feet of the basket and passing has made Reaves one of the league’s most dynamic playmakers. The Lakers need his drives to the basket and pace to operate at the elite offensive level expected.

With averages of 26.6 points, 6.3 assists and 5.2 rebounds in 23 games before missing the last five weeks, Reaves will help the Lakers in a variety of ways offensively.

Once he’s back in the lineup, Reaves will give the team another high-usage ball-handler who can take pressure off Doncic and LeBron James. 

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Role orientation

Speaking of relieving pressure, Reaves will change the complexion of how the Lakers have looked over the last month.

James will no longer be tasked with leading the second unit to start the second and fourth quarters — situations he and Reaves co-tasked before Reaves’ injury.

Marcus Smart and Gabe Vincent won’t have to operate as ball handlers as frequently. 

And even James, who’s found a groove after a slow start to his season following a 14-game absence to start the year because of sciatica but whose on-court impact has a roller coaster over the last month, will be able to slot in being a third option offensively — and sometimes second option behind Doncic — with Reaves back.

Helping Ayton

Starting big man Deandre Ayton will benefit the most from Reaves’ return. 

Reaves and Ayton quickly found synergy in pick and rolls, with Reaves being the Lakers’ best ball handler with finding Ayton on short rolls — Ayton’s preferred manner to operate. 

Since Reaves’ injury, Ayton’s production and efficiency has fallen off significantly.

Reaves won’t make Ayton a better defender. But he’ll get Ayton more involved offensively, which will help Ayton be more engaged in the ways the team needs.