How long is Austin Reaves out? Latest oblique injury updates, return timetable for Lakers star
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How long is Austin Reaves out? Latest oblique injury updates, return timetable for Lakers star originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The tough injury news continued for the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday.
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Just a day after the team found out star guard Luka Doncic will miss the remainder of the regular season, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Los Angeles' second-leading scorer, Austin Reaves, will also be out for the near-term future.
With the playoffs approaching, the statuses of both Doncic and Reaves have become a significant storyline in the Western Conference.
Here's the latest on Reaves' injury, when he could return and more.
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Austin Reaves injury update
After Doncic left the Lakers' recent matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder with his hamstring injury, Reaves also began dealing with a rib/oblique issue.
JJ Redick initially said Saturday that Reaves' status for Sunday against the Dallas Mavericks was up in the air, as the guard was awaiting results from MRI exams on his left side, per Dave McMenamin. But the Lakers then got unfortunate news on another star guard.
Charania reported that Reaves was diagnosed with a Grade 2 left oblique injury that will sideline him for the remainder of the 2025-26 regular season.
MORE: How Luka Doncic’s hamstring injury impacts Lakers playoff picture
How long is Austin Reaves out?
Reaves is expected to be out for 4-to-6 weeks, per Charania. He will miss the remainder of the Lakers' regular season, and is also "expected" to be out for at least the beginning of the NBA playoffs.
Los Angeles' final regular-season game is on Sunday, Apr. 12 against the Jazz. The first round of the NBA playoffs then begin on Apr. 18.
Per the NBA, the second round of the playoffs can start as early as May 2 this year. Based on Reaves' 4-to-6 week timeline, the earliest he could return is around the start of the second round, if the Lakers advance that far.
If Reaves misses closer to six weeks, he wouldn't be available until closer to the start of the Western Conference Finals, which are slated to begin on May 20.
With Doncic's status uncertain beyond the regular season, and Reaves likely set to be off the floor through at least the first round of the NBA playoffs, the Lakers will be short-handed just as the season is ramping up. Currently in the No. 3 seed in their conference, L.A. will be leaning heavily on a 41-year-old LeBron James as the team heads into the playoffs.
MORE:What did LeBron James say about the city of Memphis?
Grade 2 oblique strain recovery timetable
A Grade 2 oblique strain is considered moderate, with partial tearing, but not as severe as a Grade 3 and worse than a mild Grade 1 strain.
Recovery can take time because the obliques are used in almost all rotational moves for athletes; when Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders was dealing with an oblique strain in 2025, Midwest Orthopedics at Rush wrote that "an oblique strain typically occurs when these muscles are overstretched or overloaded," bringing sharp pain in the side. Recovery includes rest, ice, gentle core exercises, stretching, core stability work, rotational strength training and more.
Grade 2 strains are expected to sideline an athlete for around 4-to-6 weeks.
How Austin Reaves injury impacts Lakers’ rotation
Reaves' injury is the latest in a string of maladies to cut into Los Angeles' depth. He joins Doncic and Marcus Smart on the mend, creating a vacuum at the guard position.
Realistically, James could take the mantle as Los Angeles' lead ball-handler, with Luke Kennard sliding into shooting guard. Rui Hachimura is likely to be inserted into the starting lineup, especially with Jarred Vanderbilt nursing a day-to-day injury. Jake LaRavia and Deandre Ayton will fill out the starting five in Reaves and Doncic's stead.
Bronny James is likely to see increased minutes off the bench, although that isn't certain. Other player that could be called into action include Kobe Bufkin, Dalton Knecht and Maxi Kleber.
Lakers upcoming schedule
Los Angeles has just five games remaining in the regular season before the playoffs begin; the team has already secured a playoff spot, but is fending off the Nuggets and Rockets for the No. 3 seed.
Three of those five remaining games will come against current projected playoff/play-in teams:
DateOpponentSunday, Apr. 5at MavericksTuesday, Apr. 7vs. ThunderThursday, Apr. 9at WarriorsFriday, Apr. 10vs. SunsSunday, Apr. 12vs. Jazz