Austin Reaves 'Optimistic' to Return to Lakers Lineup in Wednesday's Game 5

After missing roughly the last four weeks with a Grade 2 oblique strain, Lakers guard Austin Reaves is "optimistic" he will be able to return to action in Wednesday's Game 5 vs. the Rockets, ESPN's Shams Charania reported Tuesday morning.

Los Angeles currently leads the series 3-1. Per Charania, whether or not Reaves suits up will again be a game-time decision.

Reaves initially picked up the injury on April 2, during L.A's 139–96 loss to the Thunder. At the time, it was estimated that he would miss four to six weeks.

The 27-year-old stud averaged 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists during the regular season, behind only Luka Dončić, who is also out with an injury right now.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

More NBA from Sports Illustrated

• SI:CYMI | Did Kon Knueppel Deserve Rookie of the Year More Than Cooper Flagg?
• Peter's Points: NBA Best Bets Today (Predictions, Prop Bets for Jayson Tatum, Blazers-Spurs, CJ McCollum)
• Suns Season Grade: Evaluating Phoenix's Year After Tough First-Round Sweep to Thunder
• Suns Offseason Preview: Free Agency, Draft Assets And the Dillon Brooks Question
• Three Reasons the Magic Are One Game Away From Eliminating the Top-Seeded Pistons

This article was originally published on www.si.com as Austin Reaves 'Optimistic' to Return to Lakers Lineup in Wednesday's Game 5.

Copyright ABG-SI LLC. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is a registered trademark of ABG-SI LLC. All Rights Reserved.

This story was originally published April 28, 2026 at 9:40 AM.