Lakers’ Austin Reaves Upgraded to Questionable for Game 3 vs. Rockets

The Los Angeles Lakers received a significant boost ahead of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets, with guard Austin Reaves upgraded to questionable for Friday’s contest in Houston.

Reaves has been sidelined since April 2, when he suffered a Grade 2 left oblique muscle strain during the Lakers’ 43-point loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The injury initially carried a four- to six-week timetable, suggesting he would miss the remainder of the first round and potentially into the second round.

Although, the Lakers announced Thursday that Reaves is now questionable for Game 3, marking the first upgrade in his status since the injury occurred. The designation comes as Los Angeles looks to extend its surprising 2-0 series lead despite being without both Reaves and fellow star Luka Doncic.

Reaves’ potential availability represents a meaningful development for a Lakers team that has relied on depth and resilience to win the first two games of the series. The guard averaged 23.3 points, 5.5 assists, and 4.7 rebounds during the regular season, establishing himself as a prolific secondary scorer and dependable offensive facilitator.

According to reports, Reaves has returned to on-court basketball activities over the past few days, progressing further in his recovery than Doncic, who remains out with a hamstring strain. ESPN’s Shams Charania indicated earlier this week that Reaves could return at some point in the first round, noting that “the sense around the Lakers is that Austin Reaves is the one further along than Luka Doncic in their respective rehab processes.”

The Lakers flew to Houston on Thursday, and before departure, coach JJ Redick said he had no update on the schedule for his injured starters’ return to play. Despite the uncertainty, Reaves’ questionable status suggests he is trending toward availability and could potentially suit up for Game 3 if he clears the necessary hurdles.

Reaves played in only 51 games during the regular season due to two lengthy injury absences but still made a significant impact when on the floor. In his fifth season with Los Angeles, the former undrafted free agent helped the Lakers win 53 games and capture the Pacific Division title.

The Rockets also received injury news ahead of Game 3, with superstar forward Kevin Durant upgraded to questionable due to an ankle sprain. Durant looked on from the bench during Game 2 at Crypto.com Arena as the Rockets dropped to 0-2 in the series.

Game 3 is scheduled for Friday night in Houston, with the series shifting to Toyota Center after the Lakers held home-court advantage for the first two games. A win in Game 3 would give Los Angeles a 3-0 series lead and put them on the verge of sweeping the first-round matchup.

Whether Reaves actually plays will depend on his pregame workout and how he responds to basketball activities. The Lakers have not speculated publicly on a definitive return date for either guard, focusing instead on day-to-day evaluations.

For now, the questionable designation offers hope that Reaves’ absence may be shorter than initially feared, providing a potential X-factor for a Lakers team seeking to close out the series and advance deeper into the playoffs.

The next checkpoint in this story will be Reaves’ actual availability for Game 3, which will be determined shortly before tipoff on Friday night in Houston.

What are your thoughts on Austin Reaves’ potential return? Share your predictions for Game 3 in the comments below.