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Austin Reaves during player introductions.

Los Angeles Lakers stars Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves have watched from the bench as their team has taken a commanding 2-0 series lead over the Houston Rockets.

Reaves and Doncic both suffered a pair of same-day Grade 2 strains in the Lakers’ April 2 wipeout against the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. Both stars were set to miss weeks of action, potentially ruling out the chances they played again this season.

However, things have begun to change for the better for the Lakers in the past week.

Doncic returned to the Lakers after spending a couple of weeks in Europe to seek specialized treatment on his Grade 2 hamstring strain, while Reaves ramped up participation in team practice. Both developments have brought hope that the Lakers are in line to get back at least one of their injured stars.

As the first round clash between the Lakers and Rockets shifts to Houston, a promising update emerged for the team with the upper hand in the series.

L.A. Met with Massive Austin Reaves News Entering Game 3

Something changed yesterday when the Lakers announced their injury report for Game 3. 

While Doncic was still listed as out, Reaves was upgraded to questionable. Now L.A. are wondering what this really means.

GettyLos Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves reacts during a game, as questions remain about his injury status and potential return ahead of the team’s first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets.

Reaves suffered a Grade 2 oblique strain April 2. His return timeline was listed in the ball park of 4-6 weeks. It has only been 22 days, just over three weeks. If that timeline was accurate at all, Reaves should be out at least another week.

So why did the Lakers suddenly upgrade him to questionable for Game 3? 

That could either mean Reaves made quicker progress, or the original injury return timeline given was a bit inflated. 

In a recent YouTube video, Lakers insider Jovan Buha gave a detailed breakdown of what Reaves’ listed status for Game 3 means and when the star guard could realistically suit up again.

“I’m not sure he’s going to play in Game 3,” Buha said in a video published Thursday on his YouTube channel. “It seems maybe Game 4 is more realistic between the two, because it is also a quick turnaround between Game 3 and 4. He’d be thrown into the fire and only have one day in between games. It feels like this might be a situation where he’s questionable, then he’s ruled out, and then ends up playing in Game 4 on Sunday.”

How Will the Team Use the Star Guard When he Returns?

It’s good news that Reaves’ return is seemingly on the horizon. With the Lakers already up 2-0 and having all the momentum they need to extend their lead to 3-0, it is a safe time to work Reaves back in after a long absence.

With Doncic’s return date still feeling a bit distant, the Lakers could have some time to get Reaves fully up to speed before Doncic returns. It’s easier to reingratiate one star rather than two at once.

But how will the Lakers deploy Reaves when he does return?

“I’m not sure if he’ll be starting or coming off the bench initially,” Buha said. “The Lakers have brought him off the bench a couple of different times this season when returning from an absence. … I would assume Austin would probably be on a minutes restriction for at least a game if not a couple games before returning to a full work load.”

Given the playoffs setting and the new scheme the Lakers have going without their two best scorers, it’ll surely be a challenge to get Reaves back into the lineup at full capacity immediately.

It’ll take some game planning by head coach JJ Redick — something he has done brilliantly already this series — to get Reaves comfortable with absorbing a significant role right after returning from a lengthy injury.

For now, it seems Reaves will miss tonight’s Game 3 in Houston, but the star guard could see his status upgraded to available for Sunday’s Game 4.