Austin Reaves returns from a 19-game absence against the Nets
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves will return from a 19-game absence on Tuesday against the Brooklyn Nets. Reeves has been sidelined since Christmas by stretching the calf. JJ Redick said the star point guard will come off the bench with limited minutes during his first game back.
Reaves was playing at an All-Star level before the injury. The 27-year-old is averaging 26.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 6.3 assists on .507/.365/.873 shooting in 23 appearances to start the season.
Los Angeles was outscored 19-10 in that period.
Austin Reaves returns from a months-long layoff against the Nets
The Lakers struggled to find their rhythm with Reaves sidelinedgoing 10-9 in their last 19 games. They rank 11 in attack21st in defense and 17th in net rating (-0.3) during that span.
Stretching Los Angeles dropped to sixth place in the Western Conference. They are tied with the Phoenix Suns, but hold the sixth seed thanks to a tiebreaker. Redick’s team is a half game behind the Minnesota Timberwolves for fifth.
Reaves will try to help the Lakers secure a win in Brooklyn as they close out an eight-game road trip.
2026-02-04 00:09:00
