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55m ago

Lakers Rule Austin Reaves Out for Regular Season With Grade 2 Oblique Strain

The twin backcourt injuries push Los Angeles into a roster shuffle before the playoffs.

Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) heads down court after a three-point basket in the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Crypto.com Arena
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 02: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after a play during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Paycom Center on April 2, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
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Overview

  • Austin Reaves, who was diagnosed Saturday with a Grade 2 left oblique injury, will miss the rest of the regular season, and ESPN’s Shams Charania reports a four-to-six week recovery window.
  • A day earlier, the team ruled Luka Dončić out for the remainder of the regular season with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, leaving his playoff status unclear.
  • Both guards were hurt in Thursday’s 139-96 loss at Oklahoma City, were evaluated at halftime, and briefly returned before further imaging confirmed the diagnoses.
  • Coach JJ Redick said the first MRI on Reaves scanned the wrong area and a second exam was needed, and he plans to expand the rotation and call up Kobe Bufkin, Nick Smith Jr. and Dalton Knecht from the G League.
  • Los Angeles is 50-27 in the West’s No. 3 spot with five games left, so LeBron James and the remaining starters are set to carry a larger load as seeding and first-round home court hang in the balance two weeks before the playoffs begin.