Image Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Austin Reaves Injury Update: Lakers Star Guard to Remain Out of Action with Grade 2 Calf Strain

Los Angeles Lakers received yet another blow in form of Austin Reaves' injury.

Image Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Lakers, who are having a rollercoaster ride during the NBA 2025-26 regular season, received yet another blow. Their star guard Austin Reaves has been diagnosed with a left calf strain, and is expected to miss considerable amount of time. Notably, during the Lakers’ blowout loss to the Houston Rockets on Christmas Day, Reaves left the game early after complaining of left calf soreness. He was then sidelined for the remainder of the matchup.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves has been diagnosed with a grade 2 left gastrocnemius strain and will be reevaluated in four weeks.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 27, 2025

The Lakers then announced that he would undergo an MRI examination on Friday, and as per the evaluation, the 27-year-old has been diagnosed with a grade 2 left gastrocnemius strain. Notably, Reaves missed three games earlier this month due to calf soreness, and returned to action on Tuesday. He dropped 17 points against the Suns, and left the Rockets’ clash with 12 points, one rebound, and one assist. Reaves was shooting 5-of-8 from the field and 2-of-5 from the three-point range.

When will Austin Reaves Return?

As per the official announcement by the league, Reaves is expected to undergo re-evaluation in four weeks, i.e, late January. If he receives a green signal for return, then as per calculations, Reaves will most-likely appear in January 24’s clash against the Dallas Mavericks.

It is to be noted that Reaves has emerged as one of the most-productive shotmakers throughout the NBA 2025-26 season. Out of 29 games that the Lakers have played this season, the Oklahoma alum has appeared in 23 of them, and is averaging his career-best stats. Reaves is dropping 26.6 points, with 5.2 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game while shooting 50.7% from the field and 36.5% from the three-point range. He is playing 35.3 minutes on an average.

With him currently out of action, we can expect Marcus Smart to start at guard, as he has done in four of the Lakers’ last five games.

Austin Reaves

Los Angeles Lakers

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.