After a shorthanded win over the Pistons on Sunday afternoon, the Lakers look set to be shorthanded in a different way on Monday.
Ahead of their game against the Hawks, the Lakers released their injury report with three notable changes, including the removal of Luka Dončić but the addition of Austin Reaves and Quentin Grimes.
Reaves’ illness is legitimate as Dan Woike of The Athletic noted that Reaves told him he had
been feeling sick since arriving in Detroit on Saturday. His performance against the Pistons, then, was a flu game on top of being his best game of the season.
As for Grimes, he left the game during the second half against the Pistons and did not return. After the contest, head coach JJ Redick did not have a full update on Grimes other than noting that x-rays were negative.
Luka would be able to step in if Grimes is the only one missing and the Lakers could largely replicate the rotation from Sunday’s win. If Reaves is also out, though, it could mean Cameron Carr’s first real minutes of the season.
Carr made his debut and has played in a pair of blowouts late, but hasn’t played meaningful rotation minutes. If the Lakers are down two guards, it’s likely one of he or Bronny James would be the next person up.
The Lakers were able to respond while undermanned on Sunday, though. Even with a shuffling of players, it’ll be interesting to see if the Lakers can make it two for two to kick off the road trip.
You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.
