There is growing optimism that Austin Reaves will be available for Game five against the Houston Rockets, with the guard trending toward a return after nearly a month on the sidelines, according to Shams Charania of ESPN.
Reaves, who has been recovering from a Grade two oblique strain suffered on April 2nd, has steadily progressed through his rehab. After working through individual sessions, he has now returned to larger team scrimmages in recent weeks, a sign that his comeback is close.
“I want to get back out there as fast as I can,” Reaves said Tuesday. “But like I said, I feel good and trending in the right direction and can’t wait to wake up tomorrow and attack another day.”
Head coach JJ Redick confirmed Reaves will once again be a game-time decision, though the tone around the team suggests confidence in his availability.
“That will be based on whether he’s good to go,” Redick said. “We’ll talk through that.”
The Lakers currently hold a 3-1 series lead and have the opportunity to close things out at home in Game 5. Despite being the lower seed entering the matchup, Los Angeles has taken control of the series while navigating multiple injuries.
Reaves hasn’t played since the injury occurred during a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, a game in which he still managed to finish and lead the team in scoring.
“I kind of had a feeling [it was a serious injury],” Reaves said. “I got a high pain tolerance. And when something bothers me, it’s usually something wrong. So super frustrated, obviously.”
Even from the sidelines, the 25-year-old has remained engaged, praising the team’s effort throughout the series.
“It’s been a lot of fun, just seeing the determination, the togetherness, and just the joy of them playing basketball together,” Reaves said. “Competing every single possession, it’s been a lot of fun. You know, me and Luka talk about it every time we’re watching, just how hard we’re playing, the attention to detail and, like I said, the togetherness.”
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