Austin Reaves Could Return Wednesday Night and the Lakers Are Finally Getting Good News

The Lakers are catching a break. Austin Reaves is optimistic about making his comeback for Game 5 against the Rockets on Wednesday night, sources told ESPN on Tuesday. That's massive because he hasn't stepped on the court in nearly a month after suffering a Grade 2 oblique strain on April 2.

Reaves will be listed as a game-time decision for the third straight contest, but the vibes around the Lakers organization are genuinely hopeful right now. He's progressed significantly through his rehab over the last one to two weeks, moving from one-on-one workouts into full group scrimmages. As long as there's no setback, Los Angeles is looking at getting its star back in the lineup.

What Reaves Brings When He Comes Back

This is the player the Lakers have been missing. Reaves averaged 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists this season while shooting 49% from the field and a solid 36% from three. That's a legitimate two-way threat that changes how the Lakers operate. He's been gone for the final five games of the regular season plus the first four playoff games against Houston, and that's a lot of firepower to be without in a playoff series.

The Setup

The Lakers hold a 3-1 series lead over the Rockets heading into Wednesday night's Game 5 at home. One more win and they're moving to the second round. Game 5 tips at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN. The only other concern hanging over this team is Luka Doncic, who's still sidelined with his own hamstring injury from April 2, the same day Reaves got hurt. Getting Reaves back would be huge for trying to close this series out.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.