Will Austin Reaves play for the Lakers against the Rockets in game 5?
As the Los Angeles Lakers look to close out their first-round series against the Houston Rockets, they feel hopeful they’ll have Reaves back on the court.
The Los Angeles Lakers are back home tonight for Game 5 of their series against the Houston Rockets. They lead the series 3-1 and could close it out with a win. So getting star guard Austin Reaves back on the court couldn’t come at a better time. But his status still isn’t certain.
Austin Reaves’ injury status heading into Game 5 vs. Rockets
Reaves has missed the first four games of the Lakers’ first-round series against the Rockets due to a muscle strain in his left oblique. Ahead of their Game 4 loss, Reaves was listed as questionable before ultimately being ruled out.
Now, he is listed as questionable again, but according to ESPN’s Shams Charania, there is optimism surrounding his potential return and he will be a game-time decision. As for Reaves, he feels positive about a return happening sooner than later.
Los Angeles Lakers star Austin Reaves is optimistic to return to action in Game 5 against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night after missing about four weeks with a Grade 2 oblique strain, sources tell ESPN. Reaves will be a game-time decision for the third consecutive contest. pic.twitter.com/gT6nYaEPY1
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 28, 2026
“I want to get out there as fast as I can … I feel good, trending in the right direction. I can’t wait to wake up tomorrow and attack another day.”
Austin Reaves, who's a gametime decision for tomorrow's Game 5 vs. Houston, on the importance of feeling confidence in his body before returning to the court: "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… pic.twitter.com/JG1YLQSIkn
— Khobi Price (@khobi_price) April 28, 2026
In the regular season, before his injury, Reaves averaged 23.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.5 assists in 51 games. His initial timeline to return was estimated at around four to six weeks. If he’s able to return to the court tonight, he’d be just at the four-week mark, and it’s looking positive that will happen.
“I think we’ve seen in the past when I got injured, I’ll do everything I can to get back as soon as I can,” Reaves said, before adding, “and still being safe at the same time.”
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