Lakers’ Austin Reaves returns to play against Nets after calf injury
NEW YORK — Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves is set to make his return to the lineup on Tuesday night against the Brooklyn Nets, as announced by coach JJ Redick.
Reaves, who has been out for the past five weeks due to a strained left calf, will come off the bench and will have a minutes limitation, according to Redick.
“I believe we’ve felt his absence in every aspect,” Redick stated. “As an on-ball player, off-ball player, a connector, and in terms of leadership on the court, as well as his competitive spirit — particularly defensively. He is an All-Star-caliber player, and naturally, his absence is felt in various ways.”
Reaves, 27, was having a standout season before injuring his left calf on December 10 during a 132-119 defeat to the San Antonio Spurs, and then experiencing a separate calf strain two weeks later in a 119-96 loss to the Houston Rockets on Christmas Day.
Before the injury, Reaves was averaging 26.6 points with a shooting percentage of 50.7%, along with 6.3 assists, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game.
The Lakers recorded a 10-9 record without Reaves since the game against the Rockets.
