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Austin Reaves Austin Reaves (oblique) scores 22 points in return
Wed, Apr 29, 2026, 6:57 PM
Austin Reaves (oblique) recorded 22 points (4-of-16 FGs, 12-of-13 FTs), four rebounds, six assists, one block and two three-pointers in Wednesday's Game 5 loss to the Rockets.
Analysis: With Wednesday's game being the first for Reaves since April 2, he was used in a reserve role. There were no restrictions for the Lakers' guard, who logged 34 minutes. Reaves did not shoot the ball well from the field, but a 12-of-13 night at the foul line boosted the point total. Reaves may return to the starting lineup for Game 6 on Friday, especially when considering how poorly Luke Kennard played. Missing all four of his field-goal attempts, Kennard finished Game 5 with one point, three rebounds, two assists, two steals and one blocked shot. Whether he continues to start or gets bumped to the bench by Reaves, the Lakers need more from Kennard. |
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Deandre Ayton Deandre Ayton corrals 17 rebounds in Game 5 defeat
Wed, Apr 29, 2026, 6:57 PM
Deandre Ayton tallied 18 points (9-of-14 FGs), 17 rebounds and two blocks in Wednesday's Game 5 loss to the Rockets.
Analysis: Ejected from Game 4 just over halfway through the third quarter, Ayton was around for the entirety of Game 5. And he lived up to the âDominAytonâ nickname on the glass, grabbing ten offensive rebounds and 17 overall. Add in a good night of shooting the basketball, and the 7-footer finished with his third double-double of the series. Ayton and the Lakers will look to end the series on Friday in Houston, as they look to avoid having to play a Game 7 after winning the first three games. |
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LeBron James LeBron James scores game-high 25 points in Game 5
Wed, Apr 29, 2026, 6:56 PM
LeBron James finished Wednesday's Game 5 loss to the Rockets with 25 points (9-of-20 FGs, 7-of-10 FTs), three rebounds, seven assists and two steals.
Analysis: As a team, the Lakers shot 7-of-27 from beyond the arc, with the Rockets outscoring them by 21 points on three-pointers. James was among those who struggled, as he missed all six of his attempts. A positive for the 41-year-old was that he cleaned up the turnovers, committing two after being responsible for eight each in Games 3 and 4. Getting Austin Reaves back does help with the offensive workload, even if his return did not result in a victory on Wednesday. James and the Lakers will look to end the series in Houston on Friday. |
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Austin Reaves Austin Reaves (oblique) available for Game 5
Wed, Apr 29, 2026, 3:25 PM
NBA Injury Report
Austin Reaves (oblique) is available for Wednesday's Game 5 against the Rockets.
Analysis: After more than three weeks on the sidelines with a strained oblique muscle, Reaves is good to go for Game 5. His return will not push Luke Kennard to the bench, as the Lakers are sticking with the lineup that started the first four games of this series. Kennard is joined in the lineup by Marcus Smart, Rui Hachimura, LeBron James and Deandre Ayton. |
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Luka Doncic Shams: Don?i? (hammy) without timetable to return
Wed, Apr 29, 2026, 4:36 AM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports there's still no timetable for Luka Don?i? (hamstring) to return.
Analysis: Charania reports that even if the Lakers advance to face the Thunder in the second round of the NBA Playoffs, Don?i? is expected to remain out to begin the series. While the 27-year-old point guard has done on-court work, he hasn't progressed to full scrimmages yet, according to Charania. Don?i?'s return was described by Charania as a slow path, which also doesn't inspire confidence for a speedy recovery. He last appeared in a game for the Lakers on April 2. |
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Austin Reaves Austin Reaves (oblique) âoptimistic' for Game 5
Tue, Apr 28, 2026, 7:17 AM
Shams Charania
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Austin Reaves (oblique) and the Lakers are optimistic that he will return for Game 5 on Wednesday against the Rockets.
Analysis: Reaves was a game-time decision in Games 3 and 4, but this latest update from Shams bodes well for Reaves' return. With the Lakers looking to close out the series and move on to face the Thunder, Reaves' return could come at just the right time. |
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Austin Reaves Shams: Austin Reaves could return for Game 5
Mon, Apr 27, 2026, 9:40 AM
Shams Charania
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Austin Reaves could return for Game 5 against the Rockets on Wednesday.
Analysis: In an appearance on the Pat McAfee show, Charania noted that Reaves - who was considered questionable for Game 4 - could get back on the court Wednesday when the Lakers return home for Game 5 against the Rockets. The Lakers went up three games to nil before getting blown out in Game 4. Reaves could be the catalyst the team needs to complete the gentleman's sweep and advance to the Western Conference semifinals. |
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Luka Doncic Luka Don?i? (hamstring) will not play in Round 1
Mon, Apr 27, 2026, 9:36 AM
Shams Charania
According to Shams Charania in an appearance on the Pat McAfee show, Luka Don?i? (hamstring) will not play in the Lakers' first-round series against the Rockets.
Analysis: LA is up 3-1 with Game 5 back at crypto.com Arena. Even if the series goes the distance, Don?i? will not return to the court sooner than the Western Conference semifinals. Until the superstar returns, the Lakers will continue to pick up the slack using a committee approach. |
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Rui Hachimura Rui Hachimura records 13 points vs. Houston
Sun, Apr 26, 2026, 6:47 PM
Rui Hachimura tallied 13 points (6-of-10 FGs), three rebounds, one assist, one steal, one block and one three-pointer in Sunday's Game 4 loss to the Rockets.
Analysis: Hachimura shot the ball well in Game 4, making 60 percent of his attempts. However, it wasn't enough on a night when the Lakers' high scorer, Deandre Ayton, was ejected halfway through the third quarter and only three starters finished in double figures. Hachimura and the Lakers will look to close out the series on Wednesday when they host Game 5. |
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LeBron James LeBron James limited to 10 points in Game 4 loss
Sun, Apr 26, 2026, 6:46 PM
LeBron James accounted for 10 points (2-of-9 FGs, 6-of-6 FTs), four rebounds and nine assists in Sunday's Game 4 loss to the Rockets.
Analysis: As well as James played in the first three games of this series, he struggled mightily in Game 4. The Rockets were far more effective defensively on Sunday, harassing James into eight turnovers and a 2-of-9 night from the field. LeBron and the Lakers head home for Game 5 on Wednesday, which may be enough time for Austin Reaves to return from his oblique injury. If so, that would be of immense help to James and the Lakers as they look to close out the series. |
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Deandre Ayton Deandre Ayton ejected after Flagrant 2 foul
Sun, Apr 26, 2026, 5:23 PM
Deandre Ayton was ejected from Sunday's Game 4 against the Rockets with 5:41 remaining in the third quarter.
Analysis: Ayton was assessed a Flagrant 2 foul for a forearm that he delivered to the head of Rockets center Alperen ?engün. The Lakers center played 25 minutes, finishing with 19 points (9-of-12 FGs, 1-of-1 FTs), 10 rebounds and one blocked shot. Ayton's early exit, the first of his NBA career, means more playing time for Jaxson Hayes. |
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Austin Reaves Austin Reaves (oblique) downgraded to out Sunday
Sun, Apr 26, 2026, 2:59 PM
Khobi Price
Austin Reaves (oblique) is out for Sunday's Game 4 against the Rockets.
Analysis: While there was hope that Reaves would be available for Game 4, the Lakers' 3-0 series lead may have factored into the decision to keep him out. Luke Kennard will remain in the starting lineup, and he has been productive throughout this series. |
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Austin Reaves Austin Reaves (oblique) questionable for Game 4
Sat, Apr 25, 2026, 12:06 PM
NBA Injury Report
Austin Reaves (oblique) is questionable for Sunday's Game 4 against the Rockets.
Analysis: The Lakers can close out the Rockets on Sunday, and they may get back one of their key scorers. Reaves, who has been out since April 2 with a strained oblique, is closing in on a return. Given where the series stands, the Lakers can take a conservative approach to working Reaves back into the lineup once he's available. Luke Kennard has been the starting off-guard, and that will remain the case until Reaves returns. |
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Marcus Smart Marcus Smart has 21/4/10 line in Game 3 win Friday
Fri, Apr 24, 2026, 5:25 PM
Marcus Smart had 21 points (5-of-9 FGs, 9-of-11 FTs), four rebounds, 10 assists, five steals, two blocks and two three-pointers in Friday's win over the Rockets in Game 3.
Analysis: Smart had 25 points, seven assists and five steals in Game 2 and had a pretty similar stat line in Game 3. The 32-year-old point guard had 21 points, 10 assists and five steals as the Lakers improbably took a 3-0 series lead with the overtime win. Smart has become one of the Lakers' most important players early in these playoffs with Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) sidelined. |
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Rui Hachimura Rui Hachimura has 22 points in Game 3 win Friday
Fri, Apr 24, 2026, 5:17 PM
Rui Hachimura had 22 points (8-of-14 FGs, 2-of-4 FTs), four rebounds, two assists, one steal and two three-pointers in Friday's Game 3 win over the Rockets.
Analysis: Hachimura set the tone right away in Game 3, dropping 16 points without missing from the field in the first quarter. The 28-year-old small forward finished with 22 points, which was second only to LeBron James on the Lakers. Hachimura had a great night while Luke Kennard, who averaged 25 points in the first two games of the series, had just 14 points. |
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LeBron James LeBron James has 29/13/6 line as Lakers go up 3-0
Fri, Apr 24, 2026, 5:09 PM
LeBron James had 29 points (10-of-22 FGs, 5-of-6 FTs), 13 rebounds, six assists, three steals, one block and four three-pointers in the Lakers' 112-108 victory over the Rockets in Game 3 on Friday.
Analysis: With the Lakers shorthanded to begin the playoffs, LeBron has been nothing short of excellent in the first three games. James is averaging 25.3 points, 9.7 rebounds and 8.7 assists in this series. With the Lakers trailing and less than 25 seconds remaining in regulation, the 41-year-old small forward got a steal and a game-tying three-pointer. Then the Lakers stole Game 3 in overtime. They'll have a chance to complete a sweep in Game 4 on Sunday. |
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Austin Reaves Austin Reaves (oblique) out for Game 3 Friday
Fri, Apr 24, 2026, 1:18 PM
Austin Reaves (oblique) is out for Friday's Game 3 against the Rockets.
Analysis: Reaves was initially listed as questionable and considered a game-time decision. After working out on the court pregame, he was ruled out. Luke Kennard will continue to start and put up points without Reaves, who hasn't played since April 2. |
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Jake LaRavia Jake LaRavia (ankle) no longer on injury report
Thu, Apr 23, 2026, 12:40 PM
NBA Injury Report
Jake LaRavia (ankle) is not on the injury report ahead of Game 3.
Analysis: LaRavia's absence from the injury report indicates that he'll be available to take the floor for the Lakers on Friday. He's come off the bench in each of the first two games against the Rockets in this series, posting six total points on 1-of-5 shooting from the field. He'll likely play a similar role as a reserve in Game 3. |
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Austin Reaves Austin Reaves (oblique) questionable for Game 3
Thu, Apr 23, 2026, 12:21 PM
Dave McMenamin
Austin Reaves (oblique) is questionable to play against the Rockets on Friday.
Analysis: Reaves' upgrade on the injury report to questionable is an encouraging sign, signaling a potential return to the floor. He hasn't appeared in a game since April 2, when the Lakers lost to the Thunder. The Lakers have gotten big production from others in Reaves' absence, specifically from Luke Kennard, who is averaging 25 points through two playoff games. Should Reaves return in Game 3, it'll likely be as a starter. |
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Jake LaRavia Jake LaRavia (ankle) day-to-day
Thu, Apr 23, 2026, 10:05 AM
Dan Woike
The Athletic's Dan Woike reports that Jake LaRavia is dealing with a âvery minorâ ankle sprain and is considered day-to-day.
Analysis: LaRavia's injury should be monitored, but it doesn't sound very serious. If he's forced to miss Game 3 at Houston, Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt could see increased run. |
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