Mavericks Deny JJ Redick’s MRI Error Claims Regarding Austin Reaves Injury
April 7, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick watches game action against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
The Dallas Mavericks have issued a firm denial of Lakers coach JJ Redick’s claims regarding their medical team’s handling of Austin Reaves‘ MRI examination. The controversy emerged after Reaves sustained a Grade 2 left oblique strain during the Lakers’ 139-96 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder last Thursday.
« Our medical team followed standard imaging protocols based on the information provided at the time, » the Mavericks said in a statement first issued to DLLS Sports on Tuesday and later provided to ESPN. « There was no error in the scan performed. »
Redick’s Initial Accusations and Subsequent Backtrack
Following the Lakers’ practice on Southern Methodist University’s campus Saturday in Dallas, Redick had been critical of the Mavericks’ medical staff execution. « I don’t know where the chain of command lies with Dallas imaging, but they scanned the wrong area, » Redick said. « So [the mistake was] not on our end. We made it explicit what was supposed to be scanned, but they scanned the wrong area. »
However, Redick notably changed his tone when questioned about his accusation before the Lakers faced the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday. « In the end, we got the image we needed, » Redick said. « And obviously very appreciative, because it’s happened throughout the season whenever the home team is accommodating to us, just like we would be for them. And we’re going to move on. »
Reaves, who averages 23.3 points per game as the Lakers’ second-leading scorer, suffered the injury in the first half but returned to finish the game with a team-high 15 points in 27 minutes. The Lakers announced no specific timetable for his return beyond ruling him out for the remainder of the regular season, though sources told ESPN‘s Shams Charania that Reaves is expected to miss four to six weeks.
The Lakers currently sit at 50-28, holding the No. 4 position in the Western Conference with four games remaining. They trail the No. 3 Denver Nuggets by half a game but maintain the tiebreaker advantage after winning the season series. A Lakers spokesperson declined to comment when asked by ESPN about the MRI situation.
Comments (0)