Reaves, who left Thursday’s game early, underwent an MRI Saturday in Dallas on his left indirect/rib space, in keeping with Dave McMenamin of ESPN.
Reaves tweaked one thing in his left facet through the first half of the lopsided loss to Oklahoma Metropolis. He went to the locker room to have it checked, however was in a position to return to the sport, ending with 15 factors in 27 minutes earlier than being eliminated.
“I went again to get a rebound, overextended somewhat bit, and I felt one thing,” Reaves informed reporters after the sport. “However I really feel first rate proper now, so we’ll see.”
McMenamin provides that Reaves needed to get two MRIs accomplished as a result of the primary one didn’t deal with the right portion of his physique.
“I don’t know the place the chain of command lies with Dallas imaging, however they scanned the improper space,” coach JJ Redick mentioned. “Not on our finish.”
It’s one other devastating blow for the Lakers after Luka Doncic was identified Friday with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain that may preserve him out for the remainder of the season and doubtless at the least the primary spherical of the playoffs.
Talking to reporters on Saturday earlier than Reaves’ MRI outcomes have been introduced, Redick mentioned the staff is remaining robust within the face of the accidents, and its mission to clinch the No. 3 seed and advance by way of the primary spherical hasn’t modified. “And we’ll see what occurs with Luka,” he added.
Redick plans to develop the scoring duties whereas Doncic and Reaves are unavailable, mentioning LeBron James, Luke Kennard, Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton as gamers who can anticipate to see bigger roles within the offense.
Since Reaves returned to the lineup in early February, James has largely settled in as a 3rd choice, contributing in different methods whereas Doncic and Reaves have been the first playmakers. Over the previous seven video games, James is averaging 15.6 factors, 7.3 rebounds and seven.3 assists. He’s taking simply 11.7 photographs per sport in that span, nicely beneath his profession common of 18.6.
“You bought to flip the mindset somewhat bit when your function adjustments, regardless of the case could also be, or what’s wanted out of [you for] the staff,” James mentioned. “So the mindset adjustments somewhat bit, for positive.”
Veteran guard Marcus Good, who has missed the previous six video games with groin and ankle accidents, is now thought of day-to-day, McMenamin provides, however he’s not sure to play in opposition to Dallas. Good wasn’t in a position to totally take part in Saturday’s follow.
Redick plans to complete the season with an “all arms on deck strategy,” stretching his regular rotation from 9 to probably 11 gamers. He said that Kobe Bufkin, Nick Smith Jr. and Dalton Knecht will all be part of the staff after taking part within the G League playoffs Sunday evening with the South Bay Lakers.
The accidents make L.A.’s maintain on the third spot within the West considerably tenuous after it regarded stable earlier within the week. The Lakers presently have a one-game lead over Denver and a two-game cushion over Houston. After Sunday’s contest, they’ll host Oklahoma Metropolis on Tuesday, journey to Golden State on Thursday after which end the season with residence video games in opposition to Phoenix on Friday and Utah on Sunday.
