yahoo - 2/2/2026 2:12:27 AM - GMT (+2 )
Austin Reaves is inching closer and closer to a return to the Los Angeles Lakers lineup.
After missing the last 18 games due to a grade two right calf strain, head coach JJ Redick told reporters on Sunday that Reaves would go through his pregame warmup at Madison Square Garden and be a game-time decision for the Lakers' road game against the New York Knicks on Feb. 1.
Reaves' presence has been missed since going down on Christmas Day; the Lakers went on a cold streak in late December and early January. They've started to find their footing since then, winning six of their last 10 games as the trade deadline approaches this week.
Here is everything you need to know about Reaves' status ahead of tip-off vs. the Knicks:
No. Reaves went through pregame warmups and was listed as a game time decision, but was ultimately ruled out, Dan Woike of The Athletic reported. Still, it's the closest Reaves has gotten to playing since Dec. 25, so all signs point to Reaves' return being imminent.
Reaves has been listed as questionable before each of the Lakers' last three games.
Austin Reaves statsAustin Reaves gets up some touch shots pregame at MSG. He’s a gametime decision tonight, per JJ Redick pic.twitter.com/Eqzb3luMPN
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) February 1, 2026
Reaves' injury halted his momentum on what could've been his first All-Star season. Through 23 games, the fourth-year guard is posting career-high averages in points (26.6), rebounds (5.2) and assists (6.3) per game. He's also averaging at least one steal per game for the second straight year.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Austin Reaves injury update before Los Angeles Lakers play Knicks tonight
read more