On Friday night, the Los Angeles Lakers lost Austin Reaves with nearly three minutes remaining in the first quarter. The shooting guard exited the game with soreness in his right calf and needed to have an MRI done on Saturday to find out the extent of the injury.
While Reaves’ status with the Lakers is unclear, Los Angeles will be without another starter for at least one week.
NBA News: Los Angeles Lakers are down one starter for a week
Per Jovan Buha of The Athletic, Lakers head coach JJ Redick revealed the injury status of power forward Rui Hachimura, who missed Friday night’s 106-102 win over the LA Clippers.
Redick confirmed Hachimura is dealing with a left patella tendinopathy in his knee. The Lakers will reassess the injury in. one week.
Redick said Hachimura will be reassessed by the team in a week. https://t.co/zvHkgjfJAs
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) March 1, 2025
The injuries to Hachimura and Reaves could knock Los Angeles down two starters in a week they have to play the Clippers, New Orleans Pelicans, and New York Knicks.
A concerning injury
Fortunately for the Lakers, the duo of LeBron James and recently acquired point guard Luka Doncic have been hot, winning five games in a row.
However, the loss of Hachimura is concerning given the Lakers’ situation with big men after trading Anthony Davis. The six-foot-eight, 230-pound athlete out of Gonzaga is averaging 13.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists this season.
31-year-old power forward Dorian Finney-Smith replaced Hachimura against the Clippers on Friday night. He recorded seven points, five rebounds and three assists in the Lakers’ win.
The Lakers and Clippers will play on Sunday night.
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