The Los Angeles Lakers finally welcomed back a crucial piece to their lineup on Tuesday night, as guard Austin Reaves made his much-anticipated return from a 19-game absence due to a left calf strain. The injury, suffered on Christmas Night against the Houston Rockets, had sidelined Reaves for just over five weeks, a stretch during which the Lakers struggled to consistently find their rhythm. But at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, Reaves stepped back onto the court to help power the Lakers to a 125-109 victory over the Nets, closing out their eight-game road trip with a 5-3 record.
Reaves’ return had been the subject of speculation throughout the Lakers’ trip, as the team’s medical staff took a cautious approach to his recovery. Head coach JJ Redick had previously listed Reaves as a game-time decision for Sunday’s contest against the New York Knicks, but ultimately, the guard was held out for one more game. On Tuesday, however, all eyes were on Reaves as he participated in pregame shooting drills and was officially cleared to play by Redick. The Lakers made it clear they would ease Reaves back into action, deploying him off the bench with a strict minutes restriction.
"We’ve missed him in every facet," Redick said before tip-off, emphasizing the void left by Reaves during his absence. "Both as an on-ball player, off-ball player, a connector, leadership on the court, competitive spirit—competitive spirit defensively. So, he’s an All-Star level player and, of course, you’re going to miss him in a number of ways."
Reaves entered the game with just 1:30 left in the first quarter, joining a Lakers squad that had already built a 17-point lead. Despite the limited minutes, he made an immediate impact, scoring his first points on two free throws with 1.7 seconds remaining in the quarter. In the second, he notched his first assist—a lob to LeBron James for a dunk—before scoring his first field goal with 9:38 left in the period. By the end of his 15-minute shift, Reaves had tallied 15 points, one assist, and four rebounds, showing little rust from his extended layoff.
The Lakers’ offense hummed with Reaves back in the mix, but it was the combined firepower of Luka Doncic and LeBron James that truly electrified the Brooklyn crowd. Doncic poured in 24 points, grabbed six boards, and dished out five assists, dazzling fans with a no-look pass to Deandre Ayton for a dunk. James, meanwhile, contributed 25 points, seven assists, and several highlight-reel dunks. Their chemistry, now bolstered by Reaves’ return, was on full display.
Before his injury, Reaves had been enjoying the most productive season of his career. In 23 games, he averaged 26.6 points, 6.3 assists, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.0 steal per contest, shooting an efficient 50.7% from the field and 36.5% from three-point range. His breakout included a career-high 51-point performance against the Sacramento Kings with both James and Doncic sidelined. Many analysts had pegged him as a likely All-Star selection, and his absence was felt deeply by a Lakers team battling both injuries and inconsistency.
"Unfortunately, our All-Star two-guard has been out for a minute," LeBron James said after the recent loss to the Knicks. "That’s a big piece for our team. So it’s just kind of hard to see what we really, truly can be."
Reaves’ return couldn’t have come at a more critical juncture. The Lakers, now 30-19 and sitting comfortably in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race, are seeking stability as the NBA trade deadline looms on Thursday. The team has been quiet on the trade front, but with Reaves back and the roster approaching full health, head coach Redick is optimistic about the Lakers’ outlook. "That group has not performed well from a net rating, an offensive/defensive rating," Redick admitted of the most recent starting lineup, which featured Jake LaRavia and Marcus Smart alongside Doncic, James, and Ayton. "So, we’ve got to figure all this out. And we’ve had two games all season with our full health. So, hopefully, with Austin coming back, we can just have a healthy stretch here and figure out what lineups work best."
Reaves’ presence is expected to pay dividends on both ends of the floor. His ball-handling relieves pressure on Doncic, his off-ball shooting creates essential spacing for James, and his defensive competitiveness shores up the Lakers’ perimeter assignments. "He gives us three decision-makers on the court that have great talent," Doncic said last week. "We can’t wait to have him back. He’s been working out. I saw him. I think he wants to be back, too."
Beyond the immediate basketball implications, Reaves’ return also carries significant contractual weight. The 27-year-old guard declined a four-year, $89.2 million extension last offseason, betting on his ability to command a larger deal. If he opts out of his $14.9 million player option for the 2026–27 season, he’ll become an unrestricted free agent this summer—a prospect that has piqued the interest of teams league-wide. Lakers insiders suggest that Reaves could be in line for a contract north of four years and $120 million, with some projecting his annual market value at over $40 million. That financial backdrop adds another layer of intrigue to his comeback, as both the Lakers and potential suitors closely monitor his health and performance down the stretch.
For now, though, the focus is on basketball. The Lakers closed out their Grammy road trip with a statement win, and the return of Reaves provides a much-needed boost as they brace for the playoff push and the trade deadline’s uncertainty. "We talked about it a couple of weeks ago," Redick said of the looming trade rumors. "Just the nature of not just being an NBA player this time of year but also being a Laker this time of the year. I can’t control what apps they have on their phones and what they decide to query. So, as a player myself, when I thought there was a chance I might be on the trade block, I just talked to my agent. He tried to tell me the truth and keep me updated."
With Austin Reaves back in action, the Lakers finally have a glimpse of what their full-strength roster can achieve. As the playoff race intensifies and the trade deadline approaches, Los Angeles fans have reason to believe their team is primed for a strong second-half surge—fueled by the return of one of their brightest stars.