AUSTIN REAVES SUFFERS GRADE 2 OBLIQUE STRAIN, OUT FOR SEASON
Los Angeles Lakers lose second scorer to core injury, playoff hopes take major hit
24.1
PPG
Points
5.4
APG
Assists
4.7
RPG
Rebounds
SPG
Steals
33.2
MPG
Minutes
SHOOTING SPLITS
FG%
Field Goal
3PT%
Three Pointer
FT%
Free Throw
INJURY TIMELINE
APR 2
Injury Occurs
APR 4
MRI Confirms
APR-JUN
Rehab Period
SUMMER
Target Return
What Happened
Austin Reaves suffered a Grade 2 left oblique strain during the same game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 2, 2026. The injury occurred when Reaves was driving to the basket and felt a sharp pain in his core area. The MRI confirmed the injury a couple of days later, revealing a partial muscle tear.
How Serious Is It?
A Grade 2 oblique strain indicates a partial muscle tear in the core area, which is more severe than a Grade 1 strain but less severe than a Grade 3 complete tear. Medical experts have estimated a recovery window of 4 to 6 weeks, effectively ruling Reaves out for the rest of the regular season and at least the first round of playoffs.
INJURY BREAKDOWN
Injury Type
Grade 2 Oblique Strain
Recovery Time
4-6 Weeks
Regular Season
Playoffs
FIRST ROUND OUT
What This Means Physically
The oblique muscles are critical for basketball players, controlling:
- Core rotation – essential for changing direction quickly
- Shooting balance – needed for consistent jump shots
- Passing power – required for sharp, accurate passes
This type of injury significantly limits a player's ability to shoot, drive, and move effectively on the court.
Impact on the Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers have been hit with a devastating double blow. The team is now missing both Austin Reaves and Luka Dončić at the same time, leaving the offense significantly weakened.
With Reaves out, the Lakers lose:
- Their second scorer (averaging about 23 PPG)
- Their secondary playmaker
- Critical depth at the guard position
Head coach JJ Redick now faces the challenge of redistributing scoring responsibilities across the remaining roster, with no clear replacement for Reaves' production.
Austin is a huge part of what we do. His energy, his shot-making, his playmaking... losing him alongside Luka is a massive blow to our team.
— JJ Redick, Lakers Head Coach
WHAT THE LAKERS ARE LOSING
QUICK TAKEAWAY
- Date: April 2, 2026
- Injury: Grade 2 Oblique Strain (Moderate)
- Timeline: 4 to 6 weeks expected
- Status: Out, playoffs return uncertain
RELATED STORIES
The Los Angeles Lakers face an uphill battle as they navigate the final stretch of the season without two of their most important players. The combination of Dončić's hamstring strain and Reaves' oblique injury leaves the team with mounting pressure to stay competitive. Stay tuned to Court-Side Report for the latest updates on this developing story.