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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 25: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts for a LA Clippers foul during the first half at Crypto.com Arena on November 25, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Going into the 2026 NBA Playoffs, Los Angeles Lakers star Austin Reaves was recovering from an oblique strain. He was ruled out for Game 1 against the Houston Rockets and missed multiple games.
Following a Game 6 victory over Houston, which ended the Rockets’ run, Reaves and the Lakers are advancing to the second round. The star sharpshooter is heading into a tough series against the Oklahoma City Thunder with two games under his belt.
While it was good for Reaves to get some run in before the Lakers have to wipe the slate clean in a series, it was a challenging road for the veteran star.
GettyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 12: Marcus Smart #36, Austin Reaves #15 and Luke Kennard #10 of the Los Angeles Lakers watch from the bench during the first half against the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena on April 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
“[The last two games were] good, obviously. It would have been much easier if I was able to play a couple real games before,” Reaves told reporters after Game 6.
“But you know the nature of what happened with the injury at the time, just got to play the cards you’re dealt. We literally did everything we could possibly to get me back in this opportunity. There were days I left my house at 7:30 in the morning and didn’t get back until 7:30 or later at night. Just going through every possible thing I could go through to help myself get better. We did it as a collective. We huddled up when it first happened and it was basically attacked every single day after that.”
GettyLOS 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)
For the first game, Reaves came off the bench. He was back to a starting role in Game 6. Over two games, Reaves averaged 32 minutes of playing time.
During that time, the star guard struggled with his three-ball, making just 16.7% from beyond the arc. He still contributed 18.5 points per game, while coming down with 3.5 rebounds and producing 4.0 assists per game.
GettyLOS 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 Lakers managed to take care of the Rockets for three games, while down Reaves and Luka Doncic. Fortunately, they anticipate having Reaves for every game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, barring any setbacks.
The road certainly gets harder. The Thunder enter the playoffs as the No. 1 seed. They are the defending champions and have had nothing but success against LA this year.
Game 1 between the Lakers and the Thunder is set for Tuesday, May 5. The time for tip is yet to be determined.
Justin Grasso Justin Grasso is an NBA reporter, covering trending league news, transactions, injuries, and player developments. He is a credentialed journalist with nearly a decade of insider access. More about Justin Grasso
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