Dave McMenamin
Multiple Authors
Austin Reaves, who has been sidelined due to a Grade 2 left indirect pressure, was upgraded to questionable for Game 3 of the Los Angeles Lakers‘ first-round sequence in opposition to the Houston Rockets, whereas Rockets star Kevin Durant was listed as questionable due to a sprained left ankle, it was introduced Thursday.
Reeves suffered the damage in L.A.’s 139-96 loss to the (*3*) on April 2. In the identical sport, Luka Doncic suffered a Grade 2 left hamstring pressure. Doncic is listed as out for Game 3.
Reaves started his return-to-play program earlier this week, beginning with 1-on-1 on-court work Tuesday, Lakers coach JJ Redick mentioned.
Reaves, 27, averaged a career-best 23.3 factors in the course of the common season, capturing 49% from the sphere (36% from 3), with 5.5 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.1 steals.
Durant, 37, missed Game 1 of the sequence due to a proper knee contusion.
He returned for Game 2 and led Houston with 23 factors on 7-for-12 capturing in 41 minutes, however the Lakers received 101-94 to go up 2-0 in the sequence. Durant struggled in the second half Tuesday, scoring simply three factors on 1-for-5 capturing and committing 5 of his profession postseason-worst 9 turnovers after the break.
Without Reaves and Doncic, L.A. completed the common season 3-2, falling from the No. 3 spot to No. 4 in the Western Conference playoffs bracket, organising a sequence in opposition to the No. 5 Rockets.
Lakers backup ahead Jake LaRavia can be coping with a “very low grade, minor” proper ankle sprain suffered in Game 2, Redick mentioned after follow Thursday earlier than the crew’s flight to Houston. Redick added that an MRI on LaRavia’s ankle got here again clear, and LaRavia was not listed on the damage report for Game 3.
