Austin Reaves made his return for the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday, April 29, and is expected to be available for Game 6 against the Houston Rockets.
Reaves produced 22 points and six assists off the bench for his first appearance of the postseason. He was sidelined for nine games due to a left oblique muscle strain injury.
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After the 99-93 loss to the Rockets in Game 5, Reaves spoke about the frustration he felt about not being able to play and contribute due to the injury.
“As I ran out tonight, for the first time in a long time, I got a really good chills feeling with the atmosphere, the crowd,” Reaves said on Wednesday. “And I think that’s just because when something you love is taken away from you for four weeks with an injury and then you get thrown in the fire in a game like this. I could say I wouldn’t want it any other way, but I kind of do, but it was a lot of fun.”
Reaves checked into the game during the first quarter to a standing ovation from the crowd.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) controls the ball against the Houston Rockets during the first half in game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, on April 29, 2026.
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What is Austin Reaves’ status for Game 6?
Reaves was not listed on the team’s status report on Thursday, April 30. He is expected to play for the Lakers, but it remains unclear if he will return to the starting lineup for Game 6.
When do Lakers play next?
The Lakers will travel to Houston for Game 6 of the series. The game is set for Friday, May 1, at 6:30 p.m. PT (9:30 p.m. ET). The game will be streamed on Prime.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Austin Reaves injury update: Will Lakers star play Game 6 vs. Rockets
