Austin Reaves will be out for at least a month, and this is unfortunate for everyone involved. The fans, the Los Angeles Lakers organization, and Austin himself will feel the negative effects of his absence.
The Lakers confirmed that Reaves suffered a Grade 2 calf strain and will undergo re-evaluation in four weeks.That means the Lakers are bracing for the start of 2026 to be without one of their most important players. There’s a good chance that Reaves is out for longer than a month, as this type of calf injury typically takes five to six weeks for full recovery.
Austin Reaves has a grade 2 left gastrocnemius strain; he will be re-evaluated in about four weeks.
Reaves missed three games with a left calf strain recently, returning for the game at PHX on Dec. 23, before leaving at halftime of the Christmas Day game.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) December 27, 2025
Reaves had already missed time earlier this month with a calf issue. According to Dan Woike of The Athletic, this is not a re-aggravation but a new injury entirely. Still, it was on the same calf, and these types of injuries tend to be related. The Lakers will likely be extra cautious in dealing with this.
This is a separate strain from the one he suffered earlier in Dec. that cost him 3 games per team and league sources https://t.co/4LYBk6TVZD
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) December 27, 2025
Reaves’ Future
Austin Reaves was having the best season of his career. He helped the Lakers survive the start of the year without LeBron James and looked like a legitimate backcourt partner next to Luka Doncic. He even showed he could be relied on as the number one option in certain games. It felt clear he was on track to be an All-Star — if not an All-NBA player — this season. Now, with him set to miss significant time, that path feels far less likely. This is a contract year for Reaves. His absence could end up costing him money when it comes time for contract negotiations.
The Ripple Effect on the Rotation
LeBron and Luka will obviously have to carry more of the offensive burden, and they’re more than capable of doing so. But this stretch will truly test the Lakers’ depth. L.A. has relied heavily on its offense to get through games, and that approach will be difficult to sustain without Austin Reaves. Role players will be asked to do more than they’re used to, and when LeBron or Luka aren’t on the floor, the Lakers are likely to struggle to generate quality looks without a reliable secondary playmaker.
The Big Picture
A Grade 2 calf strain isn’t something you rush back from, especially for a player who relies heavily on the health of that muscle. His game depends on balance, timing, and change of direction. The Lakers don’t need Reaves at 80 percent in February. They need him 100 percent come playoff time.
