Austin Reaves Finding His Groove Again as Lakers Hit the Break
After missing 22 of 24 games with a nagging calf injury, Austin Reaves is finally back in the fold for the Los Angeles Lakers - and his presence is already making a difference. Since returning to the lineup on February 3 against the Brooklyn Nets, Reaves has been on a minutes restriction, still ramping up to full speed. But even in limited action, he’s showing flashes of the dynamic, do-it-all guard the Lakers leaned on before his injury.
No, he hasn’t hit the 30-minute mark yet in any of his five games back, but that hasn’t stopped him from making an impact. His standout moment came in just his second game post-injury, when he dropped 35 points on a hyper-efficient 12-of-17 shooting night against the Philadelphia 76ers - a performance that helped fuel a comeback win and reminded everyone exactly what he brings to this team.
After the Lakers’ recent win over the Dallas Mavericks, Reaves was asked how he’s feeling - and in classic Reaves fashion, he kept it real with a little humor.
“I feel great,” he said. “I’ll feel better when I’m on a golf course in the morning, but I feel good right now. [My] legs are a little tired but yeah, it’s just part of getting back into basketball shape and playing road games.”
That quote says a lot. Physically, he's getting there.
Mentally, he's locked in. And the legs?
Well, they’re still catching up - but that’s expected. Coming off a calf injury, especially one that kept him sidelined for nearly two months, the road back is more marathon than sprint.
But what’s encouraging is how sharp he’s looked in spurts, even while working under a minutes cap.
During Reaves' absence, the Lakers’ offense often looked flat - less movement, fewer creators, and a noticeable drop in pace and flow. With him back, even in a reduced role, there’s a noticeable uptick in energy and ball movement. He’s the kind of connector who doesn’t just score; he makes the game easier for everyone else on the floor.
And while he’s still building toward full game conditioning, everything we’ve seen suggests he’ll be ready to take on a heavier load once the team returns from the All-Star break - after a little time on the golf course, of course.
Redick Reflects on a Rollercoaster First Half
Lakers head coach JJ Redick didn’t shy away from the challenges the team has faced through the first half of the season. Injuries have been a constant storyline, with key players like Reaves, LeBron James, and Luka Dončić all missing significant stretches. In fact, the trio has only shared the court in 10 games so far - a stat that underscores just how disjointed this season has been at times.
“Look, if you would have told me in September that we’d be… are we five in the West or six? So, we’re top five in the West; we’ve had those guys together for 10 games, and AR has missed some time.
Luka has missed some time. Bron missed the start of the year,” Redick said.
That’s not just coach-speak - it’s a fair assessment. Despite the inconsistency in lineups and the lack of continuity, the Lakers have managed to stay in the upper tier of the Western Conference. Redick acknowledged the internal pressure that comes with high expectations, but also pointed to the team’s strong recent stretch - aside from a slip-up against San Antonio - as a reason to feel good heading into the break.
The All-Star break couldn’t come at a better time. It gives Reaves a chance to continue building back his stamina, gives the coaching staff an opportunity to recalibrate the rotation, and gives the team as a whole a moment to exhale before the playoff push begins.
With Reaves trending upward and the core slowly getting healthy, the Lakers might just be hitting their stride at the right time.