Luka Doncic acknowledges the absence of Austin Reeves
Austin Reaves missed it Los Angeles Lakers‘ final 13 games, including their clash against the Denver Nuggets on the road on Tuesday night. During his absence with a calf injury, the Lakers have gone just 6-6 and are currently trailing the Nuggets by double digits without Nikola Jokic. Let me say that Reaves’ absence was a big part of it about why Los Angeles has been playing such uneven basketball lately would be an understatement.
Reaves will reportedly return to the Lakers lineup during their eight-game road trip, and that should help LA get some breathing room in the Western Conference standings with the Phoenix Suns breathing down their necks. I Luka Dončićwho had a lively joke-filled friendship with his fellow quarterback, even admitted that he missed him somewhat in the midst of his absence.
“Of course, (I miss him). He’s an amazing player. He helps us in a lot of ways. It’s fun to play with him,” Doncic told Spectrum SportsNet’s Mike Trudel.
Doncic is certainly looking forward to Reaves’ return to the court, admitting that his return would help the Lakers a lot.
“It will be good for us, especially when we have an eight-game road trip,” added Doncic.
“It’s pretty awesome … it’s a big achievement for me, so it’s amazing to be leading this.”
Luka Dončić talks to @LakersReporter on leading the NBA in All-Star voting before tonight’s matchup with the Nuggets. #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/m3fefS8nrr
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) January 21, 2026
Injury problems have marred the campaign of Lakers All-Star Austin Reaves

Reaves has blossomed so much from his time as a bench light; he has shown that he is capable of leading the team as the primary ball handler, and has become one of the top scorers in the league. There is nothing accidental about the 26.6 points per game he is averaging.
The Lakers’ offense with Reaves was elite enough to help cover up their defensive deficiencies, and he forged such a tight bond with Deandre Ayton on the court, and Ayton may be the man who misses Reaves the most.
2026-01-21 04:27:00







