Midway through the third quarter of the Los Angeles Lakers’ breezy win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday, Austin Reaves landed awkwardly after a dunk. He attempted to shake off the pain but ultimately subbed out and headed to the locker room before being ruled out for the rest of the night.
Head coach JJ Redick told reporters postgame that X-rays came back negative and there was no concern about an Achilles injury.
Friday afternoon, Redick provided an update on Reaves and said the Lakers guard is day-to-day.
“Based on his physical evaluation and how he was feeling yesterday, we opted against imaging. He’ll be day-to-day. We’ll have him on the report tomorrow at 5 o’clock,” Redick told reporters Friday. “…He has a bruise on his heel.”
Reaves was not the only Lakers player to get banged up Wednesday against the Bucks. Luka Dončić tweaked his ankle after landing on Kyle Kuzma but told reporters postgame that he’s “fine.” Redick reiterated Friday that Dončić is “fine” and expects he’ll be available for Sunday’s game in Phoenix against the Suns.
Collin Sexton, meanwhile, suffered a concussion and will not play Sunday, according to Redick. He took a blow to the face Wednesday and received stitches. He is day-to-day. Quentin Grimes has missed the Lakers’ last two games with a finger injury but Redick said he “was able to do the live part of the stay ready game today,” so he sounds close to a return. Saturday’s injury report should offer a clearer picture of Grimes’ status.
A four-day break between games seems to have come at a convenient moment early in the season for the Lakers. It’s given Reaves more than half a week to nurse his bruised heel, ensured Dončić won’t miss any time with his ankle injury and provided Grimes a chance to participate in game-type action to test his finger. They’ll hope Sexton can promptly clear concussion protocol and return to the court sooner rather than later, particularly since he had finally found some rhythm after a preseason injury.
You can follow Jackson on Twitter at @jackfrank_jjf.
