Austin Reaves Returns As Lakers Cruise Past Nets In Brooklyn

After a grueling 19-game absence, Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves made his much-anticipated return to the court on Tuesday night against the Brooklyn Nets, injecting new life into a team that’s been searching for stability. The Lakers, closing out their eight-game road trip, wasted no time taking advantage of Reaves’ presence, cruising to a 125-109 victory at Barclays Center and finishing the trip with a 5-3 record.

Reaves, who suffered a Grade 2 left calf strain on Christmas Day against the Houston Rockets, had been sidelined for nearly five and a half weeks. The Lakers’ medical staff and head coach JJ Redick exercised caution throughout his recovery, with Reaves only cleared to play after he participated in pregame running and shooting drills. “I wanted to make sure I was 100% good,” Reaves said after the game. “Really wanted to play the other night against the Knicks. Love playing there. Wish I could have been able to get out there and help the team, but just didn’t feel right and woke up this morning and felt really good and gave it the go right before the game and had fun.”

Coming off the bench, Reaves entered with 1:30 left in the first quarter, when the Lakers already held a commanding 17-point lead. He scored his first points on two free throws with just 1.7 seconds remaining in the quarter, got his first field goal with 9:38 left in the second, and even started the second half as the Lakers looked to manage his minutes. In total, Reaves played 21 minutes, tallying 15 points, one assist, and four rebounds, while shooting 3-for-9 from the field and 1-for-5 from three-point range. He was especially effective from the line, sinking eight of his ten free throw attempts.

It wasn’t just Reaves’ scoring that stood out. His impact was felt across the board, from his ball-handling to his defensive presence. Lakers head coach JJ Redick was effusive in his praise, saying, “I think we’ve missed him in every facet. 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.”

LeBron James, who finished the night with 25 points and seven assists, echoed those sentiments. “For as long as he has been out, obviously the No. 1 thing is rhythm and fatigue, how fast you get fatigued,” James said. “So, it’s just a boost for all of us, especially at the end of a road trip, to get a guy like that back…Obviously his rhythm is a little off but he still made an impact and just happy to have him back.”

Reaves’ return couldn’t have come at a better time for the Lakers. Prior to his injury, the 27-year-old was enjoying a career year, averaging 26.6 points, 6.3 assists, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.0 steal per game across 23 appearances, while shooting an efficient 50.7% from the field and 36.5% from three-point range. He even notched a career-high 51 points earlier in the season against the Sacramento Kings, stepping up in the absence of both LeBron James and Luka Doncic. Analysts had pegged him as a potential All-Star before the injury derailed his campaign.

While the Lakers managed to stay afloat during Reaves’ absence, going 10-9, the team struggled to maintain offensive consistency and defensive structure, especially in late-game situations. The offense often sputtered without Reaves’ ability to create shots and space the floor, and the team’s perimeter defense lacked its usual bite. As Redick noted, “We’ve missed him in every facet.”

Teammate Luka Doncic, who put up 24 points, six rebounds, and five assists in the win over Brooklyn, highlighted how Reaves’ return changes the team’s dynamic. “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.” With Reaves back in the rotation, the Lakers now boast a trio of elite playmakers in James, Doncic, and Reaves—each capable of running the offense, creating opportunities, and finishing games.

Beyond the immediate on-court benefits, Reaves’ return carries significant implications for his future. Last offseason, he declined a four-year, $89.2 million extension, opting instead to bet on himself in a contract year. If he declines his $14.9 million player option for the 2026–27 season, he’ll become an unrestricted free agent this summer. League insiders, including Lakers reporter Jovan Buha and The Athletic’s Dan Woike, have speculated that Reaves could command a contract north of $120 million over four years, with some projecting annual salaries exceeding $40 million. His health and performance down the stretch will be closely watched not only by the Lakers but by teams across the NBA.

The timing of Reaves’ return is also notable, coming just days before the NBA trade deadline. The Lakers have been quiet on the trade front so far, but with the team finally healthy and Reaves back in action, management may feel less pressure to shake up the roster. As Redick put it, “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.”

For Reaves, the return to the court was as much about relief as it was about results. “It felt good,” he said. “I’ve been bored for a little over a month now. Sitting on the bench sucks. I think all I did for the month-and-a-half was yell at the refs. It’s no fun. It’s better to yell at them on the court. But it’s good to be back out there and run around, feel the energy and play the game I love.”

With the Grammy trip now behind them and their roster finally whole, the Lakers can look ahead with renewed optimism. The Western Conference playoff picture remains crowded and the trade deadline looms, but with Austin Reaves back in the fold, Los Angeles has every reason to believe its best basketball lies ahead.