The Los Angeles Lakers won their fifth straight game on Friday, defeating the Clippers on a back-to-back, to improve to 37-21 for the season. The Lakers are now only one game behind the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference.
The most impressive aspect of the Lakers' win was how short-handed they were. Rui Hachimura missed the game after suffering a left knee strain on Thursday's win against the Timberwolves. Austin Reaves left Friday's game with right calf soreness after nine minutes of action. Jordan Goodwin and Trey Jemison saw extended minutes in their absences and performed admirably.
After the game, head coach JJ Redick provided injury updates on both Hachimura and Reaves. Per ESPN's Dave McMenamin, Hachimura was diagnosed with left patellar tendinopathy and will be re-evaluated in one week.
Hachimura will be reassessed in one week, according to Redick https://t.co/ZlSnOsyYli
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) March 1, 2025
Lakers News: Austin Reaves Injury Not Too Serious
That is a disappointing development for the Lakers, who will now start Dorian Finney-Smith in his stead.
The good news for the Lakers, however, is the fact that Reaves' injury doesn't seem too serious. Redick said that the team wanted to hold the guard out for precautionary reasons, per The Athletic's Jovan Buha.
JJ Redick said Austin Reaves experienced soreness in his calf and they held him out for precautionary reasons.
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) March 1, 2025
It has been a brutally difficult stretch for the Lakers over the last ten days. Since coming back from the All-Star break, the Lakers played six games in total, including two back-to-backs. Reaves played 38 minutes against the Mavs on Tuesday and another 38 against Minnesota on Friday. Keeping him out, considering how tricky calf injuries can be, makes a ton of sense for the Lakers.
Fortunately for the Lakers, they have their next three games at home, against the Clippers, the Pelicans, and the Knicks. There are no back-to-backs over that stretch, either. This should give Reaves an opportunity to rest and get healthy before the crucial last stretch of the season.