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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 12: Luka Doncic #77 and Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers hold hands during a time out in the second half of a game against the Chicago Bulls at Crypto.com Arena on March 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Well, well, well … what do the Los Angeles Lakers have here? The return of someone big?

We are soon to find out as tonight’s pivotal Game 5 in Los Angeles nears. 

The Houston Rockets, pushed to the brink of elimination, are back in town and seek to extend the series without star forward Kevin Durant. 

Durant is just the latest blow the Rockets have been dealt lately. They fell down to an unsightly 0-3 series hole and now Durant is likely out even if this first round clash goes past a fifth game. 

The Lakers are finally on the high side after weeks of antsy feelings.

No Luka Doncic, no Austin Reaves. But hey, the Lakers have miraculously come within one game of punching their ticket into the second round.

Where they’ll get to face none other than (drum roll, please!) the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Yes, that Thunder team. The same one who not only won the NBA championship a year ago but was the opponent the night Doncic and Reaves suffered a pair of Grade 2 strains. 

But L.A. is ready to put that behind it. With Reaves’ return imminent and Doncic coming back soon, the Lakers have a unique opportunity to go from a projected first round exit to a team ready to do battle with the champs.

Now how about that for a wild narrative change? 

Los Angeles Lakers Eyeing the Re-emergence of Something Big

The Lakers weren’t winning games by accident in February and especially March, where they went 15-2 and looked every bit of a title threat. 

GettyOKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – APRIL 02: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers brings the ball up court during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

They were captained by Doncic and Reaves, each of whom are among the league’s upper echelon of ball handlers. Guys who can solely operate as an offensive hub by generating shots for themselves and their teammates. 

According to Khobi Price of the California Post, the Lakers “led the league in points per possession from pick-and-roll ball handlers during the regular season.”

In the playoffs, where the game slows down and fundamental play is invaluable, the pick and roll shines. And if L.A. is a team that shines in the pick and pop game better than any team, then that can only mean good things. 

But the Lakers will need Doncic back right away to siphon that regular season success into the postseason. 

At least with the return of Reaves, the Lakers can start to reassemble the building blocks of an explosive offense. 

This is where Reaves’ return will help,” Price wrote. “Even if he isn’t back to his pre-injury form, Reaves will unlock more answers to problems defenses try to give them. The Lakers went from one of the best pick-and-roll teams to one of the least prolific and efficient pick-and-roll teams in the playoffs.Their off-the-dribble shooting that helped keep defenses honest during the regular season has been zapped by the absences of Reaves and Doncic.”

When Will Reaves’ Playing Status Be Announced? 

The Lakers understand they need to A) win the series and B) get back at least one star before a potential second-round clash with the Thunder.

For Reaves, getting at least one game under his belt before facing the Thunder would be ideal. After all, Oklahoma City boasts the league’s best and most physical defense. It would be a tall order to ask Reaves to jump right into the mix against the several of the NBA’s top perimeter defenders.

As of a little under two hours ahead of Game 5 tipping off, Reaves is a game time decision, according to head coach JJ Redick. That means his final status will be determined after he goes through his pregame routine. 

Tip from Cryto.com Arena is set for 7:00 p.m.