Los Angeles Lakers SG Austin Reaves is currently listed as questionable for Friday’s Lakers vs. Rockets NBA playoff game at 8:00 p.m. ET on Prime Video.
An oblique injury has kept Reaves out of the lineup for a few weeks, but he’s progressing towards a potential return. If Reaves can’t make his return to the court, which Lakers players’ PrizePicks projections could be impacted?
Below, we’ll dive into the latest Austin Reaves injury update, if Reaves will play tonight, and who to target on PrizePicks if he ends up continuing to sit out.
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Austin Reaves Injury Update: Is Reaves Playing Tonight vs. Rockets?
Reaves is officially listed as questionable for Friday’s game against the Rockets, according to the NBA’s injury report.
The Lakers guard suffered a Grade 2 left oblique strain in the Lakers’ 139-96 loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 2 and has been out of the lineup since. However, Reaves was upgraded to questionable for Game 3.
ESPN's Shams Charania reported Reaves could be back in Game 3 or Game 4 if he cannot suit up on Friday night. According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Lakers head coach JJ Redick stated that Reaves began his return-to-play program earlier this week and participated in one-on-one court work on Tuesday.
Reaves has averaged a career-high 23.3 points per game, in addition to 5.5 assists, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per contest. The Lakers guard `knocked down 36.0% of his shots from beyond the arc.
What Players to Target on PrizePicks if Reaves Is Out?
Reaves was putting the bow on a career year before he suffered an oblique injury earlier this month. The Lakers guard has developed into one of the team’s most gifted perimeter scorers.
Despite a career year, the Lakers' SG has put up fairly pedestrian numbers against the Rockets in the 2025-26 campaign. In three games, Reaves averaged 13.7 points per game while connecting on just 40.0% (14-of-35) of his shots from the field.
According to databallr, Reaves has racked up 25.2 true shot attempts per 100 possessions, which ranks in the 89th percentile this season. Reaves’ 49.0% shooting clip from the field is the second-highest rate of his five-year NBA career.
If Reaves isn’t able to take the floor, a trio of Los Angeles players could continue to thrive in his absence. Lakers G Marcus Smart’s 3-point percentage improves by +6.4% when Reaves isn’t on the court. Los Angeles G Luke Kennard sees his usage spike by +5.2% in Reaves-less minutes. Finally, F LeBron James increases his scoring average by +4.1 PPG when Reaves isn’t on the court.
Here are the Lakers players who may benefit most on PrizePicks if Reaves is out, as well as their stat projections for Friday.
- LeBron James vs. Rockets Projections: 23.5 Points / 7 Rebounds / 39.5 Pts+Rebs+Asts
- Marcus Smart vs. Rockets Projections: 12 Points / 16.5 Pts+Asts / 11 FG Attempted
- Luke Kennard vs. Rockets Projections: 13.5 Points / 4 Rebs / 2 3PTM
Given his success with 25.0 points per game in this series, Kennard could be the player worth keeping tabs on leading up to Friday’s contest.
Pick More or Less Lakers player stats on PrizePicks now before tonight's 8:00 p.m. ET tip.
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Make Lakers vs. Rockets Picks on PrizePicks
Reaves is questionable, and the game is just hours away. It’s worth keeping an eye on Reaves’ status, but the Lakers have enjoyed success without their star SG in this series. If Reaves cannot go, will L.A. continue to thrive?
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