While the Lakers are finding success seemingly regardless of how many of their Big 3 are out, getting them back on the court together obviously remains a high priority.
LeBron James remained in Los Angeles
during the Lakers road trip to continue his rehab as he moves closer and closer to a return. Austin Reaves, meanwhile, has not suited up over the past week, but did travel with the team.
Prior to Saturday’s game against the Hawks, Redick provided an update on Reaves, who has been dealing with an injury originally designated as groin soreness before being changed to a groin strain.
All the wins that team has racked up with and without Reaves so far this year has allowed them to be extra cautious with some of these injuries. That isn’t to say that Reaves would be back if they had a worse record, but the pressure for him to return isn’t nearly as great.
The team plays in Charlotte on Monday, then heads to Oklahoma City on Wednesday, before a back-to-back in New Orleans and Milwaukee to wrap up the trip on Friday and Saturday, respectively.
While it’d be nice to have him back for the Thunder game, it’s better to have him back long-term. It seems unlikely, regardless of when he returns, that he’ll play in the back-to-back to close the road stand.
But given how poorly things went in Atlanta to kick off the road trip, getting Austin back to give them a higher floor and more margin for error will be a very welcome sight with it hopefully happening in the next week.
You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on BlueSky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.
