JJ Redick updates fans on Austin Reeves’ calf strain

The Los Angeles Lakers that guard announced on Friday Austin Reeves will miss time with a mild left calf strain and will be reassessed in a week. After Saturday’s training, the head coach JJ Redick provided additional insight in relation to the injury.

Redick explained that the injury developed gradually, not from one game.

“It’s hard for him to get the right timing during the game,” Redick said. “It started tightening the day before, even though he did a very light job on purpose. Just one of those things, and obviously we’ll be careful with it.”

He added that the strain is Grade 1 and that Reeves is not expected to miss more than a week.

“Yeah, it’s a mild strain, grade one. It’ll be out for a week,” Redick said.

To avoid aggravating the calf strain, the team will not rush Reaves back.

“I would venture to say that every player is a little bit different, but players are becoming more cautious now, to use that word again,” Redick said. “More careful when they get those diagnoses with the calf. But everything looks clean, not in the deep part. . . Should be a week.”

The timing of the injury is somewhat favorable, as Los Angeles has a relatively light schedule next week. Reaves will miss Sunday’s game against the Phoenix Suns and Thursday’s game against the Utah Jazz, with a potential return against the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday, Dec. 20, depending on how he progresses.

The 27-year-old guard has been a big contributor for the Lakers this season, averaging career highs of 27.8 points, 6.7 assists, 5.6 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 50.3% from the field and 36.9% from three. Reaves also maintained an 87.5% free throw percentage, flirting with the 50/40/90 club. However, in the last two games before the announcement, he experienced a noticeable drop in production, scoring a combined 26 points on 28.1% shooting. Against the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday, Reaves scored 15 points on 6-of-16 shooting with eight rebounds and seven assists, even though Los Angeles fell 132-119.

With Reaves out, the Lakers will have to adjust their rotation. Redick acknowledged the challenge, noting that Reaves plays an important role in keeping the team’s offense running smoothly.

“Very much. He kind of makes a lot of things work for us. We’re going to play different lineups next week.”

Bench contributors Marcus Smart, Gabe Vincent and Jake LaRavia will likely see increased minutes, while Bronie James and Nick Smith could also see more playing time.

Defense was a weak point for Los Angelesas they allowed 35 transition points against San Antonio — the most by any team against them this season. To address those lapses, Redick said the team ran a film session on Friday.

At 17-7, the Lakers will look to get back to their winning ways on Sunday against Phoenix, and it will be interesting to see how they fare without Reaves.