Lakers Lose Austin Reaves for Rest of Regular Season

Reaves injury adds to Lakers' woes after Luka Doncic update

Apr. 5, 2026 at 6:45pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a basketball player in motion, with their body and jersey broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in the Lakers' colors of purple and gold, conveying the fragmented nature of the team's injury woes.The Lakers' injury crisis deepens as they lose star guard Austin Reaves for the rest of the regular season.Los Angeles Today

The Los Angeles Lakers have suffered another major blow to their playoff hopes, with the announcement that star guard Austin Reaves will miss the remainder of the regular season due to injury. This news comes just days after the team learned that Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic will also be sidelined for the rest of the regular season.

Why it matters

The Lakers are already struggling to stay in playoff position, and the loss of both Reaves and Doncic, two of the league's rising young stars, is a significant setback that could jeopardize their postseason chances. Reaves has been a key contributor for the Lakers this season, providing scoring, playmaking, and perimeter defense.

The details

According to team officials, Reaves suffered a knee injury during the Lakers' recent game against the Golden State Warriors. The injury is expected to sideline him for 6-8 weeks, ruling him out for the rest of the regular season. Reaves has been a breakout star for the Lakers, averaging 13.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game this season.

  • Reaves was injured during the Lakers' game against the Warriors on April 2, 2026.
  • The Lakers announced Reaves will miss the remainder of the regular season on April 5, 2026.

The players

Austin Reaves

A 24-year-old guard who has been a key contributor for the Los Angeles Lakers this season, providing scoring, playmaking, and perimeter defense.

Luka Doncic

The superstar guard for the Dallas Mavericks, who was recently ruled out for the rest of the regular season due to injury.

Los Angeles Lakers

The NBA franchise based in Los Angeles, California, who are currently fighting to maintain their playoff position in the Western Conference.

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What they’re saying

“Losing Austin is a big blow for us, but we'll have to find a way to keep fighting and make the playoffs without him.”

— LeBron James, Lakers Forward

What’s next

The Lakers will have to adjust their rotation and game plan without Reaves, and will need other players to step up in his absence. The team's playoff hopes now rest heavily on the return of LeBron James and Anthony Davis from their own injuries.

The takeaway

The Lakers' injury woes have taken a turn for the worse, with the loss of both Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic dealing a significant blow to their playoff aspirations. The team will need to dig deep and find a way to overcome these setbacks if they hope to secure a postseason berth.