The Los Angeles Lakers announced Friday that Austin Reaves has been diagnosed with a mild strain in his left calf, an injury that will temporarily sideline one of the team’s most productive players.
Reaves is scheduled to be rechecked in about a week, at which point the team will have a clearer picture of his availability moving forward.
Head coach JJ Redick suggested that the issue may be tied to the heavy demands placed on Reaves during a recent stretch of games.
As Redick explained, “Our performance team mentioned that the two games back-to-back [in Toronto and Boston] and then Philly again, those were three very taxing games in terms of his both intensity and workload.”
The injury also comes amid broader league-wide concerns. Earlier Friday, reports surfaced that the NBA and its medical staff have been monitoring an uptick in calf strains across the league, raising questions about workload, scheduling, and recovery.
Before the setback, Reaves had been enjoying the best season of his career. He is averaging 27.8 points, 6.7 assists, and 5.6 rebounds per game, all personal highs, and has emerged as a central figure in the Lakers’ offense.
Austin Reaves Out With Mild Calf Strain, To Be Re-Evaluated In 1 Week https://t.co/1kTGxMMqHs
— RealGM (@RealGM) December 13, 2025
