Lakers Lose More Than Just the Game on Christmas: Austin Reaves Re-Aggravates Calf Injury
The Lakers’ Christmas Day loss to the Rockets delivered more than just a blow on the scoreboard-it came with a potentially bigger setback off the court. Austin Reaves, one of LA’s most important rotation players, was sidelined at halftime with soreness in his left calf-the same injury that kept him out earlier this month.
Reaves had already missed three games in December nursing the same issue, and now it looks like he’ll be back on the shelf. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a Lakers squad already searching for consistency.
When Reaves is on the floor, he brings shooting, ball-handling, and a level of grit that this team leans on. Losing him-again-throws a wrench into the Lakers’ already shaky rhythm.
After the game, Luka Dončić-who’s developed a close friendship with Reaves-spoke with genuine concern. “I talked to him,” Luka said.
“He just said he didn’t know. He’ll have an MRI tomorrow.
I just said, ‘If you need something to help, I know what it is to go through calf injury.’ It’s not fun at all.
Just be there to support him. Calf injuries are dangerous so just take your time.”
Dončić knows the drill all too well. Last Christmas, he suffered a similar calf injury while still with the Mavericks.
That setback cost him 22 games and came during a pivotal stretch of the season. Ironically, he was traded to the Lakers while still recovering, so he understands both the physical and mental toll this kind of injury can take.
What stood out from Luka’s comments wasn’t just the medical insight-it was the leadership. This is what you want to see from the face of a franchise. Luka’s not just putting up numbers; he’s stepping up as a teammate, offering support and guidance to a fellow player navigating a frustrating injury.
As for Reaves, the timing couldn’t be worse. He’s in a contract year, and every game matters-not just for the Lakers’ playoff hopes, but for his own future.
Soft tissue injuries like calf strains can be tricky. Push too soon, and you risk making it worse.
The Lakers said they’d be cautious when he first went down in mid-December, but the fact he re-aggravated the injury after just a game and a half suggests that caution may not have been enough.
Now, the team has to double down on protecting their guy. Reaves is too valuable to risk long-term damage, especially with so much on the line this season.
The best move here? Patience.
Let the calf heal fully. Because if the Lakers want to make a real run later in the year, they’ll need Reaves at 100%-not 80% and gutting it out.
Injuries are part of the grind, but the timing and recurrence of this one make it particularly tough. The hope in LA is that this is just a speed bump-and not a sign of something more serious.