Austin Reaves is working out on the court and closing in on rejoining the Lakers’ lineup.
Reaves was cleared for the latest step in his progression of rehab from a Grade 2 oblique strain suffered on April 2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the same game in which Luka Doncic (hamstring) was injured. Doncic remains out and has not considered any plan to be in the lineup during the Lakers’ first-round playoff series with the Houston Rockets, ESPN reported.
But Reaves’ return could become feasible if the best-of-seven series lasts five or more games.
Los Angeles holds a 2-0 lead in the series. Because of multiple days off between games in this series, Game 5 is scheduled for April 29; Game 6 is May 1 and Game 7 would be played May 3, more than four weeks after Reaves’ initial injury.
Reaves was the second-leading scorer for the Lakers this season, averaging career bests of 23.3 points and 4.7 rebounds to go with 5.5 assists per game.
Doncic’s timeline is thought to be closer to six weeks than the four-week range for Reaves.
The next phase of upramp for Reaves would involve graduating to halfcourt 3-on-3 work and full-court activities including 5-on-5 scrimmaging.
