Austin Reaves of the Los Angeles Lakers was sidelined due to right calf soreness during the first half of their 106-102 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night.
Lakers coach JJ Redick provided no further updates on Reaves’ condition after the game, explaining that he was taken out as a precaution after experiencing tightness in his calf.
The Lakers secured their fifth consecutive win despite missing two starters. Rui Hachimura also sat out with left patellar tendinopathy, according to Redick. Hachimura will be re-evaluated in a week and is expected to miss at least three more games after suffering a knee injury on Thursday against Minnesota.
Dorian Finney-Smith started in place of Hachimura, while Reaves’ usual minutes were filled by Gabe Vincent and Jordan Goodwin, who combined for 13 points, seven steals, and strong defensive play.
Austin Reaves played nine minutes and scored six points against the Clippers before heading to the locker room late in the first quarter. The Lakers later announced in the second quarter that Reaves would not return to the game.
Reaves is averaging 19.3 points, 6.1 assists, and 4.3 rebounds while starting in 53 games for the Lakers, who have won 11 of their last 13 games, including an impressive back-to-back home sweep of the Timberwolves and Clippers.
LeBron James and Luka Doncic both played in both games of the back-to-back set despite dealing with their own injury concerns. Doncic scored 31 points on his 26th birthday to help lead the Lakers to a win over the Clippers.
