Austin Reaves’ Absence Highlights Just How Vital He Is to the Lakers’ Present - and Future
Sometimes, it takes a key player going down for everyone to fully grasp just how essential they are. That’s exactly what’s happening in Los Angeles, where Austin Reaves’ absence has cast a long shadow over a Lakers team that’s looked noticeably off since he exited with a left calf injury on Christmas Day against the Houston Rockets.
That game ended in a 119-96 blowout loss - and it’s been a bumpy ride ever since. Including that Christmas Day defeat, the Lakers have gone 5-6 without Reaves in the lineup. That’s not exactly the kind of stretch you want to see from a team with championship aspirations, especially one that looked more cohesive and dangerous earlier in the season.
Let’s be clear: Reaves’ impact isn’t just about the box score - though those numbers are impressive. It’s about the way he connects the pieces on the floor. His presence stabilizes the offense, gives the Lakers another reliable ball-handler, and adds a layer of playmaking that this team sorely misses when he’s not out there.
Before the injury, Reaves was putting together the kind of season that makes front offices take notice - and open up the checkbook. Through the 2025-26 campaign so far, he’s averaging 26.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 1.0 steal per game.
He’s doing it efficiently, too: shooting 50.7% from the field, 36.5% from deep, and 87.3% from the line. That’s elite-level production from a player who went undrafted not too long ago.
What’s most striking is how the Lakers have looked with and without him. They’re 15-8 when Reaves suits up.
Without him? Just 9-7.
Sure, there are other factors at play - rotations, matchups, injuries - but the difference in flow and execution is hard to ignore. Reaves leads the team in win shares per 48 minutes (.185), a stat that underscores just how much he contributes to winning basketball.
There’s also the intangible side of things. Reaves has become a trusted piece within the Lakers’ structure - someone who can play alongside stars, take over stretches of a game, or simply make the right play in the right moment.
He’s shown flashes that remind you of players like Kyrie Irving or Jalen Brunson - guards who’ve thrived next to ball-dominant stars like Luka Dončić. That’s no small comparison.
And when it comes to his future in L.A., the writing is already on the wall. According to NBA insider Sam Amick, Reaves has some powerful support within the organization - namely, team governor Jeanie Buss, who’s reportedly a huge fan of his game and his role in the locker room. All signs point toward the Lakers doing what it takes to keep him in purple and gold for the long haul.
That summer payday? It’s not just coming - it’s becoming inevitable.
Reaves has earned it with his play, his growth, and the undeniable difference he makes when he’s on the floor. The Lakers may not have fully realized what they had until he was forced to the sidelines, but now that they’ve seen the impact of his absence, it’s clear: Austin Reaves isn’t just part of the plan - he is the plan.
As the Lakers navigate the rest of the season and look ahead to the offseason, one thing is certain: locking in Reaves long-term needs to be at the top of their priority list. Because if this stretch has proven anything, it’s that they’re simply not the same team without him.