(News4usonline) – Los Angeles Lakers star guard Austin Reaves finally returned to the team’s rotation after missing 19 games with a calf injury. Reaves last played on Christmas day against the Houston Rockets, and his absence has had a major effect on the Lakers.
The Lakers offense and overall play has been up and down with Reaves out, unable to sustain any consistency. His much anticipated return came on the final game of a lengthy road trip for the team against the Brooklyn Nets.
With Reaves being out for a while with the calf injury, it was important to exercise caution not to rush him back. Returning against the Nets proved to be a good game to come back in, as the Lakers won comfortably.
While each team in the league are all professional athletes that compete, the Nets are one of the worst teams in the league based on record. Easing Reaves back in what could be considered lighter competition in the league was a great call.
Reaves would be on a minutes restriction coming off the bench, but immediately made an impact.
Despite being on a minutes restriction, Reaves showed signs of coming back to form and helping the Lakers offense look dynamic. “I thought he moved great and looked like Austin, did a nice job attacking and getting to the free throw line… he played great.” said Lakers head coach JJ Reddick.
Reaves would go on to the next game back at home against the Philadelphia 76ers still on a minutes restriction but showed just how much the Lakers missed him. Officially returning against the Nets, Reaves had a solid game with just 15 points, and a few other stats to help the Lakers win decisively.
However, against the 76ers, he put on a dominant performance in a comeback win. The level of play Reaves provided is what the Lakers have been missing and what leads them to the aspirations of being true contenders.
In only 25 minutes of play, Reaves finished with 35 points and 6 rebounds. Philadelphia applied constant ball pressure on the guards for the Lakers, which at times even gave Lakers superstar Luka Doncic problems.
Reaves has more burst and speed to his game allowing him to beat the ball pressure on some defensive possessions. Constantly attacking the rim and getting free throws or easy layups is just what the team needs as a counter option when Doncic does not.
Doncic himself injured his hamstring and did not return the second half, which allowed Reaves to find his rhythm.
The spark that was Reaves played a major part in a comeback momentum win over the 76ers, and it all occurred with him still playing under 30 minutes due to the minutes restriction. Restrictions or not Reaves played well and showed despite missing time he is still capable of offensive dominance.
“It’s always the first four minutes of the game when you haven’t been playing too much where you get tired fast… after that the second wind kicks in and just focus on winning the game,” said Reaves.
Being a catalyst in the win against the 76ers was helpful, but Doncic missed the next game against the Golden State Warriors. If Reaves was still out, missing him and Doncic could have spelled doom for the Lakers against a tough defensive Warriors team.
Reaves’s value flashed again, as the Lakers pulled off another win against the Warriors. It may not have been the greatest offensive showing for the team, but Reaves came through in the second half to pull out a close win. There have been games where just missing Reaves in the lineup the Lakers offense lacks rhythm.
His return avoiding the absence of both was critical and stacking another win for the Lakers as they continue to work their way up the Western Conference.
This year in the NBA the Western Conference is once again filled with competitive teams looking to contend for a championship. Even with Reaves returning to the lineup, the Lakers are not seen as direct favorites to come out of the Western Conference.
Reaves was having an All-Star level season before his calf injury robbed that opportunity from him The Lakers carry tremendous star power with Doncic, James, and Reaves with solid role players but too much inconsistency.
Being a true contender this year will be a challenge for the Lakers as they do have some flaws they need to clean up, and if can’t, must find a way to mask those flaws. There may be a chance to become legitimate contenders as the season goes on and Reaves return will benefit that.
Already in return, the Lakers have found ways to add more wins, which will help their seeding in a viciously competitive conference. Injuries have been one of the ultimates for the Lakers this season, so everyone getting healthy and coming back such as Reaves can only aid the Lakers championship hopes.
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