Lakers' Austin Reaves says sitting out has been ‘miserable,' but he could return for Game 5
EL SEGUNDO - Austin Reaves said that the waiting game, watching from the bench in the playoffs, has been "miserable."
It's easy to understand Reaves' frustration, sitting next to fellow injured star Luka Doncic on the bench in street clothes as the undermanned Lakers went from pre-series underdogs to now holding a 3-1 lead over the Houston Rockets heading into Game 5 of their first-round playoff series on Wednesday night.
On Tuesday, the starting guard shared the frustration he felt on April 2, the feeling that something was physically wrong despite finishing out the game after grabbing at his left side throughout the lopsided loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
"When something's bothering me," he said, speaking to the media after practice for the first time since an April 4 MRI revealed a Grade 2 left oblique muscle injury. "It's usually something's wrong.
"Obviously I can talk and try to lead from being over there (on the bench), but not really being on the court sucks," he added. "I think we've seen in the past when I get injured, I do everything I can to get back as soon as I can with still being safe at the same time."
Reaves, the Lakers' second-leading scorer (23.3 points per game) behind Doncic (a league-leading 33.5 ppg), who remains out with a left hamstring strain, returned to pregame shooting drills before Games 3 and 4 in Houston.
The 27-year-old guard, who is likely to decline his player option and test free agency in the offseason, started both days as questionable, playing in stay-ready games with teammates to remain fresh in hopes of a playoff return. But Reaves didn't play in either game after being ruled out before tip-off.
Lakers coach JJ Redick said Reaves will once again be a game-time decision for Game 5, while the rest of the Lakers' players outside of Doncic will be available after nursing only "nicks and bruises" through the first four games of the best-of-seven series. Doncic is increasing on-court movement, Redick said Tuesday.
The oblique injury often carries a four-to-six-week recovery period. Redick said the return from injury requires confidence on the player's part.
"JJ specifically was like, you have to be comfortable with your body and what you can do to go out there and help us be successful," Reaves said. "And I want to get back out there as fast as I can. But, like I said, I feel good and trending in the right direction and can't wait to wake up tomorrow and attack another day."
Reaves became an observer over the last month.
He watched from a padded seat as the Lakers took down the betting-favorite Rockets in the first three games of the series. Even though Reaves hasn't been on the court, he said he's relished watching his teammates string together success through "determination" and "togetherness."
Reaves said he and Doncic talk about it while sitting side by side on the bench, marveling at the dedication of competing through every possession and the attention to detail on the court. Luke Kennard, whose role has dramatically changed since Reaves and Doncic suffered their injuries on that same night in Oklahoma City, said having the pair of stars shouting from the bench and "leaders" like them staying involved, lifts the team's spirits.
"It's good to hear them doing some things on the court and hopefully getting back to us soon," Kennard said. "Having those guys just around, it means a lot to all of us."
For Reaves, the road to recovery has been tough. He said he's done "everything" on and off the court in his quest to return, adding that the decision to play, potentially as soon as Wednesday, will ultimately come down to how his body feels.
"Everything from the get-go has been a group effort, and the main thing is to get me back out there as fast as I can without putting myself at risk to re-injure myself," Reaves said. "Everybody's been extremely positive through this whole process. And we're all working for one goal and yeah, we're doing everything we can."
Redick said they have yet to determine whether Reaves will be on a minutes restriction when he does return, saying that's something that will be decided once Reaves is cleared to play. With or without Reaves, the Lakers have another chance to clinch the series on Wednesday night.
What is it going to take to eliminate the Rockets and set up a battle with the reigning NBA champion Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals?
"You have to kill them," Redick said. "It's difficult to kill someone. … Survival instinct says, ‘I want to stay alive.' And so, you've got to be able to kill them. That's what [it takes]."
ROCKETS AT LAKERS
What: First-round series, Game 5
When: Wednesday, 7 p.m.
Where: Crypto.com Arena
TV/Radio: ESPN, 710 AM, 980 AM
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This story was originally published April 28, 2026 at 2:03 PM.