The Los Angeles Lakers will be without a key player for the crucial holiday stretch. Guard Austin Reaves is set for a significant spell on the sidelines after a medical scan confirmed a serious calf injury.
MRI Reveals Grade 2 Strain, Four-Week Timeline
The Lakers organization made the announcement on Saturday, December 27, 2025 (Philippine Time). An MRI conducted on Reaves's left calf diagnosed the issue as a Grade 2 gastrocnemius strain. This type of injury, often called a pulled calf muscle, involves a partial tear of the muscle fibers.
Team medical staff estimate his recovery will take approximately four weeks. The 27-year-old guard will be reevaluated after that period. This injury typically occurs during explosive basketball movements like sprinting, jumping, or making sharp cuts on the court.
A Separate Setback from Previous Calf Issue
This new injury is a distinct and more severe problem for Reaves. Earlier in the 2025-26 NBA season, he had already missed three games due to a mild strain in the same left calf. He had just returned to play on Wednesday, December 24, contributing 17 points in 22 minutes off the bench against the Phoenix Suns.
His comeback was short-lived. According to sources, the Grade 2 strain happened during the first half of the Christmas Day game against the Houston Rockets, which the Lakers lost 119-96. Although Reaves started that contest, coach JJ Redick had previously indicated the player would be under a minutes restriction as a precaution.
Impact on the Lakers' Rotation and Season
The absence of Austin Reaves for a month creates a substantial challenge for the Lakers' backcourt. As a versatile guard known for his scoring and playmaking, his production off the bench or as a starter is a key component of the team's strategy.
His injury history this season now includes two separate calf strains, raising questions about his workload and management upon return. The Lakers will need other players to step up significantly to fill the void during his estimated four-week recovery period, which covers a demanding part of the NBA schedule.
