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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 14: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers calls a play during the first half of a game against the Denver Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena on March 14, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers could see an Austin Reaves injury return in their upcoming Game 5 and potential series-clinching matchup against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night.
Based on all the reports, Reaves is on the brink of returning from his grade 2 oblique injury for the Lakers after missing about a month, with ‘optimism’ to play, despite officially still being a game-time decision.
However, while a Reaves return looms, it will come with the Lakers having to face a difficult decision regarding the starting lineup, and who will be put back on the bench if or when they get back their star shooting guard and second-leading scorer for Game 5.
GettyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 18: Deandre Ayton #5 and Luke Kennard #10 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after making a three point shot during the second half of Game One of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs against the Houston Rocketsat Crypto.com Arena on April 18, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
If Reaves can come back, the expectation is that he’ll be slotted back into the starting lineup. Still, that would likely mean either Marcus Smart or Luke Kennard would be slid back to a bench role.
Both have had a strong series so far against Houston, but while Smart has been a staple of the Lakers’ starting lineup throughout the season, the expectation is that he’ll get the nod to play next to Reaves, while Kennard will come off the bench.
But, according to Zach Lowe and Rob Mahoney of The Ringer, putting Kennard in a backup role might not be the worst thing in the world, as with his shooting prowess, he could be a solid scoring option for the Lakers’ second unit.
“Who are we bringing off the bench now?” Lowe asked from a Los Angeles perspective. “I think Smart has been too essential as a two-way player, so it becomes between (Rui) Hachimura and Kennard.”
The Lakers will likely want some size, so considering Hachimura is one of their bigger wings, he’s likely to have a safe role in the starting lineup.
“I think, for as amazing as he’s been, moving Luke Kennard to the bench makes sense,” Mahoney said. “Just in terms of balancing the rotation, giving some of the oomph that he’s brought to the Lakers in the starting lineup, you can just stretch it out over the course of the game.”
Kennard is averaging 17.5 points on 52.2/45/82.2 shooting splits through the first four games of the series. While he’s tailed off a bit since the first two matchups, he remains the Lakers’ best shooter, and with Reaves back, he’s nowhere close to a bad option to back him up, and the typical starter will likely face a minute restriction in his first game back, so Kennard won’t be tossed aside completely.
GettyMEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – MARCH 29: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on March 29, 2025 in Memphis, Tennessee.
While Reaves was questionable heading into Games 3 and 4, he didn’t end up playing. But now, before Game 5, an injury return appears closer than ever, as first reported by Shams Charania of ESPN.
“Los Angeles Lakers star Austin Reaves is optimistic to return to action in Game 5 against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night after missing about four weeks with a Grade 2 oblique strain, sources tell ESPN,” the insider wrote in a post on X Tuesday morning. “Reaves will be a game-time decision for the third consecutive contest.”
Los Angeles Lakers star Austin Reaves is optimistic to return to action in Game 5 against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night after missing about four weeks with a Grade 2 oblique strain, sources tell ESPN. Reaves will be a game-time decision for the third consecutive contest.
Since then, Charania has followed that up with similar reporting, stating that if things go well, Reaves expects to make his injury return in Game 5.
However, according to Lakers head coach JJ Redick, he remains a game-time decision, as his final injury status won’t become official until shortly before tipoff. Still, at this point in his recovery, Reaves appears to be on the brink of getting back on the floor after a four-week absence.
“Austin Reaves should help accelerate the Lakers through whatever is left of this series,” Mahoney added, about what the shooting guard can do for Los Angeles in Game 5 against the Rockets, if he is elevated to available for Wednesday night.
But while Reaves is nearing a return, Lakers star Luka Doncic remains out indefinitely. He will miss the rest of the series against Houston, and even if Los Angeles advances to the second round, he is still expected to miss more time, with an official injury return date or timeline.
Lakers vs Rockets Game 5 tips off on Wednesday, April 29, at 7 pm PST and will be live on ESPN.
Eli Gregorski is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy Sports. He has years of sports writing experience covering the NBA, NFL, college football and basketball, international soccer, and Formula One. He graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder, where he was the assistant sports editor for the award-winning CU Independent student publication. More about Eli Gregorski
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