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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Lakers guard Austin Reaves was forced to leave the game due to discomfort in his right calf during the first half of their 106-102 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night.
Following the match, Lakers coach JJ Redick did not provide any updates on Reaves’ status, mentioning he was taken out for safety measures after experiencing calf tightness.
Despite being without two starters, the Lakers secured their fifth consecutive victory. Rui Hachimura also did not play due to left patellar tendinopathy, according to Redick.
Redick indicated that Hachimura would be reassessed in a week, and the starting forward is expected to sit out for a minimum of three additional games following his knee injury sustained on Thursday against Minnesota.
In Hachimura’s absence, Dorian Finney-Smith took the starting role against the Clippers. Meanwhile, Gabe Vincent and Jordan Goodwin shared Reaves’ regular playing time, contributing a collective 13 points and seven steals, showcasing strong defensive performance throughout.
Reaves managed to play nine minutes, scoring six points before exiting to the locker room late in the first quarter. The Lakers later announced in the second quarter that he would not be returning to the game.
Reaves has been averaging 19.3 points, 6.1 assists, and 4.3 rebounds while starting in 53 games for the Lakers, who have won 11 of their last 13 games, recently achieving an impressive back-to-back home sweep over the Timberwolves and the Clippers.
LeBron James and Luka Doncic participated in both matches of the back-to-back series despite dealing with their own injury precautions. Doncic led the team to victory against the Clippers, scoring 31 points on his 26th birthday.
