UPDATE: The Los Angeles Lakers are on the verge of a critical rebound as Austin Reaves may return for their road game against the Charlotte Hornets today at 4 p.m. PT. Reaves, who has been sidelined for over a week due to a right groin strain, has been upgraded to questionable on the team’s injury report.
Reaves averaged an impressive 31.1 points per game with a shooting percentage of 48.9% in the Lakers’ first seven games before suffering the injury during the first quarter of a win against the Miami Heat on November 2. Head Coach JJ Redick confirmed that Reaves underwent an MRI, which revealed a “mild” strain, and noted that his pain level is “really low,” indicating a strong possibility of his return this evening.
The Lakers are desperate to bounce back from a disappointing 122-102 loss to the short-handed Atlanta Hawks on Saturday. The defeat came on the second night of a back-to-back and marked only their third loss of the season, dropping their record to 7-3. Redick emphasized the need for the team to learn from the loss, stating, “You just got to learn from it and move on.”
Concerns about the Lakers’ off-ball defense were highlighted, leading to easy scoring opportunities for the Hawks. Players like Deandre Ayton acknowledged the team’s struggles, emphasizing the need to be more focused and ready. “They killed us in transition,” Ayton said. The Lakers will review the game film to address these issues moving forward.
Adding to the urgency, the Hornets will be missing their star guard, LaMelo Ball, for the fourth consecutive game due to a right ankle impingement, potentially giving the Lakers an advantage.
Fans are keenly anticipating Reaves’ return, as his presence could significantly impact the Lakers’ performance against the Hornets at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. With a five-game road trip underway, every game is crucial as the Lakers strive to solidify their standing early in the season.
Stay tuned for live updates and highlights from the Lakers’ game against the Hornets.
