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Lakers guard Austin Reaves is planning to decline his $14.9 million player option for the 2026-27 season and undergo unrestricted free agency.

The Los Angeles Lakers failed to close out their first round series against the Houston Rockets in Game 4. However, only one win stands in their way of punching a second-round ticket. 

The Lakers will host Game 5 on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena with a chance to eliminate the Rockets and move on.

The good news is the Lakers may enter Game 5 healthier than they started the series following the latest reports from their pre-game practice session. 

Positive Signs For Austin Reaves Health Update 

The Lakers have played the first four games of this round without their two main offensive points in Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. They were both sidelined due to injury and while Doncic is expected to sit out until the next round, there is a chance Reaves might see some first-round action.

GettyLuka Dončić stays engaged from the bench during the Lakers’ Game 3 win over the Rockets despite being sidelined with a hamstring injury.

According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Reaves was involved in the Lakers’ latest full practice sessions. The Lakers announced today Reaves’ health status has been upgraded from questionable ahead of Game 5. 

“Austin Reaves getting up shots after practice Tuesday. [Lakers head coach] JJ Redick says Reaves will be a game-time decision for Game 5 on Wednesday,” McMenamin wrote in an X post.

The update posted Tuesday evening alongside video of Reaves working out, marks the clearest sign yet that the 27-year-old guard is closing in on a return. 

Reaves has yet to play any game since April 2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder when he suffered a Grade 2 left oblique strain. His comeback timeline was projected to be a four-to-six-week recovery timeline. But at roughly four weeks removed from that, Reaves is now pushing for postseason contributions as early as the first round.

Lakers’ Game 5 Outlook Pending Star’s Availability 

Wednesday night will present a chance for the Lakers to avoid a Game 6 and prepare for the next round. The Rockets who have been without leading scorer Kevin Durant for most parts delivered a decisive Game 4. However, the series will favor the Lakers who took the first three games.

No team in history has won a series after losing its first three games. If Reaves suits up, it will be an added boost for the Lakers who have fared so well without him or Doncic. 

LeBron James has led the team so well in their absence but at 41 and the series going past four games, the wear could get to him. Hence, the probable urgency to deploy Reaves if available.

“Reaves said his return Game 5 will depend on how his body feels Wednesday but added ‘it’s been fun to watch’ the Lakers’ success without him and Luka Doncic thus far,” McMenamin added.

Reaves is enjoying a record season and it was expected to carry on into the playoffs before that injury setback. However, the Lakers are in the best possible position to move to the next round which will provide a good stage for him and Doncic to impact the team.

A loss on Wednesday would send the series back to Houston for Game 6 and hand the Rockets new life. No one in the Lakers locker room wants that. With home-court energy and the possibility of Reaves checking back in, the focus is on finishing the job cleanly.