Lakers guard Austin Reeves will miss at least a month with a grade 2 left calf strain, the team announced Friday, a day after he left the game against the Houston Rockets at halftime.
Reeves, who averaged career-highs in points (26.6), assists (6.3) and rebounds (5.2), had already missed three games with what the team called a “mild” calf strain. He returned from the bench in a minutes-restricted game against Phoenix on December 23 and reprized his starting role on Christmas Day. loss to the Rockets. But after scoring 12 points in 15 minutes in the first half, he was ruled out for the second half with “soreness in his left calf.”
Calf injuries have been a major problem in the NBA since three stars – Tyrese Haliburton, Damian Lillard and Jayson Tatum – suffered Achilles tears during last year's playoffs. Haliburton and Lillard have previously dealt with calf injuries.
Lakers star guard Luka Doncic suffered a calf injury on Christmas Day last year while playing for the Dallas Mavericks and missed two months during which time he was traded to the Lakers.
“I know what it's like to have a calf injury. It's not fun,” Doncic said Thursday after the game. “[I’ll] just be there to support him. Take your time. Calves are dangerous, so take your time.
The Lakers (19-10) are losing their second-leading scorer at a critical point in the season. They have lost three games in a row, their only losing streak of the season, and their defense over the last 15 games has been one of the worst in the league.
After a third straight devastating loss, coach JJ Redick questioned how much his players cared. He promised an “uncomfortable” film session and team meeting at practice on Saturday before the Lakers' game against Sacramento. Crypto.com Arena on Sunday.
After a tough stretch of schedule that included eight of their 10 games against teams with winning records, the Lakers will play four of their next five games against teams at the bottom of the Western Conference standings. In addition to a home game against the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons on Tuesday, the Lakers will play the Sacramento Kings, Memphis Grizzlies (Jan. 2 and 4) and in New Orleans on Jan. 6.
Reeves' absence could extend into the Lakers' Grammy trip, which begins Jan. 20 against Denver.
