Austin Reaves’ Christmas Night Cut Short as Calf Soreness Returns
Christmas Day was supposed to be another bright moment for the Los Angeles Lakers, but it quickly turned into a worrying night for both the team and its fans after Austin Reaves was forced to exit the game early. During the Lakers’ matchup against the Houston Rockets, it was confirmed that Reaves would not return in the second half because of soreness in his left calf, an issue that has already lingered around him in recent weeks.
Reaves did manage to make his presence felt before leaving the floor. In just 15 minutes of action during the first half, he put together a solid stat line, finishing with 12 points on efficient shooting, hitting five of his eight attempts from the field and knocking down two three-pointers. A rebound, an assist, and a block were also added to his performance, showing that his all-around impact was still there despite the limited minutes. However, it was clear that something was off, and caution ended up taking priority.
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What makes the situation more concerning is the recent history behind it. Reaves had already missed three games earlier due to a calf injury before making his return earlier in the week against the Phoenix Suns. In that comeback game, his workload was carefully managed, as he played just 22 minutes, signaling that the Lakers were easing him back into action. Seeing him sidelined again on Christmas suggests the team may now take an even more conservative approach.
From the Lakers’ perspective, this decision was likely made with the bigger picture in mind. With the season still moving along and playoff positioning always in the background, pushing a key rotation player through discomfort would have been a risky move. As a result, his availability for the upcoming game against the Sacramento Kings on Sunday is now in question. At this point, he should be viewed as questionable, and it would not be surprising if additional rest is given to ensure the calf issue does not worsen.
For fans and fantasy basketball managers alike, this development adds another layer of uncertainty. Reaves has been a steady contributor when healthy, and his scoring and versatility are missed when he’s not on the floor. While there is optimism that the soreness is being addressed early, patience may be required once again. For now, all eyes will be on injury updates over the next few days, as the Lakers decide how best to move forward with one of their most reliable role players.
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