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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 ideally want no parts of playing in a Game 6 back in Houston, so they’ll need to play with as much desperation as the team trailing 3-1, not up. 

The Lakers are one win away from their first trip to the second round of the playoffs in three years. A huge opportunity is at hand tonight. Will they capitalize? 

L.A. will host Game 5 on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena with a chance to wave goodbye to the Rockets and move on to the defending champs.

Finally, there are growing positives for the Lakers in the health department. L.A. could see the return of Austin Reaves in Game 5. 

Will Austin Reaves Play? What Will His Role Be?

No Luka Doncic, Reaves. No problem … so far. 

Both L.A. stars, the top two scorers on the Lakers roster and among the most explosive in all the NBA, have been sidelined multiple weeks due to a pair of Grade 2 strains. 

Doncic is expected to sit out until the next round and perhaps beyond, but there is a chance Reaves sees some action in tonight’s Game 5. 

The Lakers announced Reaves is a game time decision for Game 5. That means his final playing status will be determined just before tip off.

GettyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 22: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena on October 22, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Reporting on ESPN’s “NBA Today,” Lakers insider Dave McMenamin weighed in on Reaves’ status and how the Lakers may deploy him in his first game back.

Asked if Reaves will play Wednesday, McMenamin said, “Certainly all signs are pointing in that direction.” 

If Reaves does play, will he start or come off the bench? 

“He went through a full practice with the team on Tuesday,” McMenamin said. “Now the question is, if he is cleared, what capacity will we see him [in]? [Lakers coach] JJ Redick said there’s no determination made yet in terms of a minutes restriction. 

“I think you have to look back to Austin coming back into the lineup in early February after missing the entire month of January with a calf injury, he came off the bench the first couple of games … I think a probably a smart way to go about things is look at bringing Reaves off the bench in Game 5 if he is ready to go

Reaves hasn’t played in 27 days, since April 2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, when he suffered a Grade 2 left oblique strain. 

His comeback timeline was projected to be at least a monthlong recovery timeline. But at roughly four weeks removed from that, Reaves’ return to the lineup feels imminent.

Lakers’ Game 5 Outlook 

L.A. is firmly in the driver’s seat, as history would shout.

Houston fell down 0-3 after Game 3. No team in history has won a series after losing its first three games. 

A Lakers loss Wednesday night would force the series to shift cities again ahead of Game 6. And the Rockets, who may continue to lack the services of Kevin Durant, will be playing with house money at home with a shot for a puncher’s chance at winning a Game 7.

No one in the Lakers locker room wants that.