Rising Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves will miss the start of the team’s five-game road trip in Atlanta on Saturday due to right groin soreness, the Lakers announced Friday, according to NBA insider Marc Stein. This marks the third consecutive game Reaves will sit out this season, interrupting a historic stretch of standout performances in the absence of stars LeBron James and Luka Dončić.
Lakers Cautious with Reaves’ Return
Head coach JJ Redick emphasized that the Lakers are taking a cautious approach with Reaves, citing the risks associated with rushing soft-tissue injuries.
“He’s got some soreness in that right groin,” Redick said, via Broderick Turner of the LA Times. “Those injuries, or a further injury on that, are hard. I’ve had ’em. I’ve had surgery. We’re just trying to be safe with him. And, hopefully, that is Friday, but we’re not going to put him at risk.”
Redick’s measured approach highlights the team’s commitment to preserving Reaves’ health amid an already injury-plagued Lakers roster, which includes James (sciatica), Gabe Vincent (ankle), Maxi Kleber (abdominal muscle strain), and rookie Adou Thiero (knee).
Reaves’ Stellar Start to the Season
Before the groin issue, Reaves was off to a career-best start in his fifth season with the Lakers. The 27-year-old Arkansas native has averaged 31.1 points, 9.3 assists, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.4 steals through seven games, putting him on track for potential All-Star recognition.
Even after missing the last two games, Reaves still leads the Lakers in total points (218), assists (65), three-pointers made (21), and ranks second in plus/minus (+46) behind Marcus Smart. His field goal percentage of 48.9% is also a career-high.
Reaves captured national attention during a three-game stretch without James and Dončić, averaging 40 points per game, highlighted by a game-winning floater at the buzzer against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 29.
Team-First Mentality Drives Lakers’ Success
Despite injuries to key players, the Lakers have shown resilience. Redick praised the squad’s player-led approach and confidence, even without their Big Three on the floor.
“You can’t win in the NBA without stepping on the floor and expecting to win,” Redick said. “The best teams are always gonna be player-led. And so those guys holding each other to that.”
The Athletic’s Dan Woike echoed the sentiment, writing earlier this week that the Lakers “have something special going on” even in the absence of their star lineup.
Reaves Poised for Lucrative Free Agency
Beyond on-court performance, Reaves’ rising profile has made him a highly sought-after potential free agent. Woike earlier reported that Reaves could receive offers surpassing $40 million annually next summer.
“If he has a good year, he could be a fringe All-Star candidate for sure,” said Zach Lowe of The Ringer, adding that Reaves’ max contract is not out of the question.
With the NBA’s projected salary cap increase, rival teams could potentially offer Reaves up to $42 million per season, putting him in the same financial tier as All-Star guards like Trae Young.
“If he plays well, there will be offers north of $40 million for him,” Woike said. “With the cap jump, his max from another team starts around $42 million. It’s him and Trae — those are the free agents everyone’s watching.”
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