The Los Angeles Lakers are finally getting a much-needed boost, and it’s coming in the form of Austin Reaves. After nearly two months sidelined with a calf strain, the versatile guard is on the verge of returning to the lineup-a development that couldn’t come at a better time for a Lakers squad that’s been navigating a season full of injuries.
Reaves went down back on December 10, the 24th game of the season. Up to that point, the Lakers were 17-7 and sitting pretty with the seventh-best offensive rating in the league.
Since then? A flat 10-10 record, with the offense slipping to 17th and the team’s net rating dropping all the way to 21st.
That’s not a coincidence. Reaves has been one of the Lakers’ most impactful players this season, and his absence has been felt on both ends of the floor.
Rui Hachimura, who’s dealt with his own calf issues this year, didn’t hold back when asked about Reaves’ potential return. “I forgot that he was even on the team for a while actually,” Hachimura joked.
“I think since Christmas? We’re so happy for him to be back.”
He added that Reaves was a huge part of the Lakers’ early-season success and emphasized the need for caution with the injury. “He can create offense and everything and push the ball, so we’re excited for him to be back.”
Hachimura’s comments aren’t just teammate talk-they reflect what Lakers fans and coaches have seen all season. Reaves has been a connector, a shot creator, and a steadying presence.
Whether initiating offense, spacing the floor, or making the extra pass, he’s the kind of player who elevates everyone around him. Even Deandre Ayton has looked more comfortable and productive when Reaves is on the floor, a testament to his ability to read the game and make the right play.
The Lakers have been treading water during this stretch of injuries. LeBron James has missed time.
Hachimura’s been in and out. But the team has still managed to piece together some encouraging wins lately, and with Reaves on the brink of returning, there’s real potential for a second-half surge.
There’s no official word yet on which game Reaves will make his return, but it could come during the team’s current road swing. The Lakers are set to face the Bulls, Cavaliers, Wizards, Knicks, and Nets. With the Western Conference standings as tight as they are, every game matters-and having Reaves back in the mix could be the difference between a play-in spot and a real playoff run.
Meanwhile, Marcus Smart continues to embody the grit and grind that’s defined his game for years. Since stepping into the starting lineup, Smart has helped the Lakers rediscover some of their defensive identity. He’s hounding ball handlers, sacrificing his body for charges, and injecting energy into a team that’s needed a jolt.
That defensive edge was on full display in the Lakers’ recent comeback win over the Mavericks. Smart hit timely shots and played a pivotal role in turning up the pressure late in the game.
But it wasn’t without a price. In the fourth quarter, Smart appeared to injure his finger while deflecting a pass.
After the game, he casually revealed that his finger had popped out-and that he popped it back in to keep playing.
It’s classic Marcus Smart. Tough, relentless, and all-in for the team.
With Reaves nearing a return and Smart setting the tone defensively, the Lakers are starting to look like a team that’s ready to turn the corner. Health has been the biggest hurdle this season, but if they can finally get their core players back on the floor together, the ceiling is still high in L.A.