The Los Angeles Lakers could be getting Austin Reaves back even sooner than expected. But not for Game 3.
The star guard was ruled out for the Lakers’ game against the Houston Rockets on Friday, but might be nearing a return. Hours before the game, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Reaves was trying to play Game 3, and would push for Game 4 if he couldn’t.
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Reaves was previously considered questionable for the game, while Rockets star Kevin Durant will miss the game because of a sprained left ankle. Luka Dončić remains out indefinitely with a hamstring strain and is not expected to return this series.
Reaves was originally reported to have a 4-to-6-week timeline to return after sustaining the injury in a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 2. That would add up to an earliest return date of April 30, though these things can be fluid, especially with muscles like the oblique.
The Lakers had Reaves doing oncourt, 3-on-3 work on Tuesday and he has continued to progress since then.
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If he does return this series, it will be boon for a team that has so far done fine without him. It was easy to panic when Reaves and Dončić were both ruled out for the rest of the regular season and part of the playoffs, but the Lakers have taken a 2-0 lead over the Rockets, who have struggled offensively through the first two games.
Game 3 is scheduled for Friday at 8 p.m. in Houston.