The Los Angeles Lakers’ injury crisis continues to deepen, with Austin Reaves now ruled out for the remainder of the regular season.
Reaves is expected to miss four to six weeks with a Grade 2 left oblique injury, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
He joins Luka Doncic on the sidelines after the Slovenian suffered a left hamstring injury and was subsequently ruled out “indefinitely.”
With both Doncic and Reaves expected to miss significant time, potentially extending into the playoffs, the Lakers’ postseason outlook has taken a serious hit.
Lakers Forced to Rethink Rotation as Injury Crisis Intensifies
The Lakers had been building strong momentum, winning 16 of their last 19 games, but that progress has now been disrupted by a growing list of injuries.
Marcus Smart has also been ruled out for the team’s upcoming matchup against the Dallas Mavericks, marking his seventh consecutive absence.
With the backcourt suddenly depleted, the Lakers have turned to their G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, recalling Kobe Bufkin, Nick Smith Jr., and Dalton Knecht, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
All three are expected to provide immediate depth, with Knecht emerging as a particularly intriguing option following his recent performances.
In a second-round G League playoff game against the Rio Grande Valley Vipers on Friday night, Knecht delivered a standout showing with 24 points, 13 rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block.
He shot 9-of-14 from the field and added a three-pointer, playing a key role in South Bay’s victory.
The 24-year-old has been a regular presence for the Lakers’ affiliate in recent weeks, using the opportunity to regain rhythm after a difficult stretch at the NBA level.
Across six G League appearances this season, Knecht has averaged 19.5 points on 50.7% shooting, including 33.3% from beyond the arc.
He has also contributed across the board, averaging 7.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.7 stocks per game.
Dalton Knecht Given Opportunity to Revive Role Amid Injuries
Since the rescinded trade to the Charlotte Hornets last season, Knecht has struggled to replicate the form that made him an early standout in his rookie season.
He is averaging just 4.0 points and 1.4 rebounds in 10.3 minutes across 50 games during his sophomore campaign.
In recent months, he has fallen out of the rotation entirely, logging just 36 minutes in February and 15 in March despite being available.
Due to injuries impacting the Lakers’ backcourt, Lake Show Life’s Maxwell Ogden believes the time has come for JJ Redick to give Knecht a “final chance.”
“With Doncic now sidelined and the Lakers needing to fill the offensive void, however, head coach JJ Redick must give Knecht a chance to prove he still has something to offer to Los Angeles,” Ogden wrote.
“With Doncic out and the Lakers needing a supporting shot creator to emerge, however, the time has arrived for Knecht to make a final case for himself for a role as a piece of the future puzzle.”
Ogden also noted that with Doncic, Reaves, and LeBron James typically handling the majority of playmaking duties, opportunities for additional shot creators have been limited.
With two of those key figures now sidelined, the Lakers may be forced to explore new options, even if it means giving Knecht extended minutes.
His recent performances with South Bay suggest there is still potential to tap into. Now, with the Lakers dealing with mounting injuries, he could have a crucial opportunity to prove his value at the NBA level.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Lakers Urged to Reintroduce $18 Million Outcast as Injury Crisis Deepens appeared first on Heavy Sports.