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Austin Reaves out 4 to 6 weeks: A total nightmare for the Lakers

Austin Reaves has been diagnosed with a grade 2 oblique tear and will miss the rest of the regular season as well as the start of the playoffs. This new injury, on top of Luka Doncic's absence, plunges Los Angeles into a major crisis.
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Austin Reaves out 4 to 6 weeks: A total nightmare for the Lakers

Mar 23, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Los Angeles Lakers Austin Reaves (15) goes to the basket in front of Detroit Pistons Duncan Robinson (55) during the first quarter at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images

Photo Credit : © David Reginek-Imagn Images

The nightmare continues for the Los Angeles Lakers. After losing Luka Doncic indefinitely to a hamstring injury, the California franchise must now cope with the extended absence of Austin Reaves. The 27-year-old guard has suffered a grade 2 left oblique tear and will be sidelined for 4 to 6 weeks, according to ESPN.

The injury, sustained during Thursday’s loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder (139-96), deprives the Lakers of their second-leading scorer, who is averaging 23.3 points this season. Reaves explained after the game: « I went back to grab a rebound, pushed a little hard on my movement and felt something. » Despite the pain, he finished the game with 15 points in 27 minutes.

LeBron James faces a massive challenge at 41

The simultaneous absence of Doncic and Reaves puts LeBron James in a difficult position. At 41, the future Hall of Famer must reclaim his role as the primary offensive leader, having comfortably settled into the third option during the Lakers‘ recent run of 13 wins in 14 games.

« It’s a real challenge for us, » LeBron James acknowledged. « But we always have to have the mindset where everyone needs to be ready to step up, even if it’s impossible to replace that kind of impact. The effort will have to be collective and we’ll all need to find a way to do a little more. We’ll need to be sharper in our execution. »

Coach JJ Redick announced he would expand his rotation from 9 to 11 players, calling up Kobe Bufkin, Nick Smith Jr. and Dalton Knecht from the G League. Around James, the Lakers will need to rely on Deandre Ayton, Rui Hachimura, Luke Kennard and Marcus Smart once recovered.

Despite these major absences, Los Angeles holds onto third place in the West. The playoffs begin in two weeks, but without their two leading scorers, the Lakers‘ ambitions are seriously in doubt for what had promised to be an exciting end to the season.

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Nicolas Flamecourt
With a background in sports management, Nicolas Flamecourt covers NBA news with a particular passion for the North American league, which he has been following for several years. He also covers the NCAA, including news and scouting of future prospects, and regularly conducts interviews with French players as well as players competing in Europe.
Austin Reaves out 4 to 6 weeks: A total nightmare for the Lakers