Austin Reaves Exits Lakers’ Christmas Day Game with Calf Soreness - Team Faces Familiar Challenge
The Los Angeles Lakers were dealt a familiar blow on Christmas Day when guard Austin Reaves was ruled out at halftime of their matchup against the Houston Rockets due to left calf soreness. Reaves logged just 15 minutes before exiting, but he made the most of his time on the floor-dropping 12 points on 5-of-8 shooting, along with a rebound, an assist, and a block.
This isn’t the first time Reaves has been hampered by that left calf. He recently missed a stretch of games with a strain in the same leg before making his return earlier in the week against Phoenix.
The Lakers had him on a minutes restriction in that game, easing him back into the rotation. That restriction was lifted for the Christmas Day contest, but the injury clearly wasn’t behind him.
Now, the Lakers are back in wait-and-see mode. Calf injuries are notoriously tricky-lingering just enough to mess with a player’s rhythm, and if not handled carefully, they can lead to bigger problems down the line. The fact that Reaves couldn’t finish the game after being cleared for full minutes is a red flag, and the Lakers are expected to tread carefully before putting him back on the court.
In the short term, this puts more weight on the shoulders of LeBron James and Luka Doncic, who will have to do even more of the heavy lifting as primary ball-handlers. Reaves has been a key connector for this team-steady in the half court, smart in transition, and capable of creating his own shot when needed. Without him, the Lakers lose a key piece of their offensive rhythm.
One player who figures to benefit from Reaves’ absence is Marcus Smart. The veteran guard has already been logging significant minutes in the backcourt, and that role is only going to expand if Reaves misses more time. Smart brings a different kind of energy-more defensive bite, more edge-but the Lakers will need him to help stabilize the offense as well.
Despite the setback, Reaves has been turning heads this season. Head coach JJ Redick has been one of his biggest believers since arriving in L.A., and he’s made it clear that his confidence in Reaves isn’t just coach-speak. Redick said one of his first conversations with Reaves after taking the job included a bold prediction: “You’re gonna be an All-Star.”
Redick isn’t in the habit of handing out that kind of praise lightly. “I’m not going to every player and saying that,” he said with a laugh. “I actually said it because I believed it.”
Asked why he’s so high on Reaves, Redick pointed to something beyond stats or highlight reels: mindset. “I’m willing to bet on guys that are wired a certain way,” he explained.
That wiring-the competitiveness, the IQ, the work ethic-is what’s made Reaves such a valuable piece for the Lakers. And it’s exactly why they’ll be cautious with his recovery.
The team knows what he brings when he’s right. The challenge now is making sure he gets back to that level without rushing the process.
For now, the Lakers will have to adjust. But if Reaves can get healthy and stay healthy, the belief inside the locker room is clear: his best basketball is still ahead.