Injury News Revealed for Lakers' Austin Reaves Before Magic Game

Mar 16, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) motions towards the net before attempting a tecnical foul free throw during the third quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

After winning eight straight games, the Los Angeles Lakers will continue their road trip on Saturday, taking on Paolo Banchero and the Orlando Magic at the Kia Center.

Although the Lakers have been relatively healthy on this long road trip in the final stretch of the 2025-26 NBA regular season, the team may be without rising star guard Austin Reaves.

Austin Reaves Listed as Questionable vs. Magic

Mar 19, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) reacts against the Miami Heat during the second half at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Isabella Frias-Imagn Images | Isabella Frias-Imagn Images

Heading into Thursday’s game against the Miami Heat, Reaves was listed as questionable along with fellow Lakers stars Luka Doncic and LeBron James. However, all three players were ultimately cleared to play.

Ahead of Saturday’s game in Orlando, Reaves has been listed as questionable once again due to right hip soreness, while neither James nor Doncic was listed on Friday’s injury report.

Veteran forward Maxi Kleber remains out as he continues to work his way back from a lumbar strain. He’ll miss a seventh straight game, with his next opportunity to return to the floor being against the Detroit Pistons on Monday at Little Caesars Arena.

Fortunately for Los Angeles, James and Doncic can lead the way if Reaves is ruled out on Saturday. Both superstars seem to have figured out how to play alongside one another, which bodes well for a strong finish to the regular season.

The Lakers will need every win they can get in the final stretch, with the Western Conference standings being incredibly tight right now and the team being only two games ahead of Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Houston Rockets only one game behind them.

It'll be interesting to see if the Lakers can keep their hot streak going, as they still have some tough matchups on the schedule. The Magic are a formidable opponent even though they've lost three straight games then Los Angeles will finish out it's last lengthy road trip of the 2025-26 campaign facing the Detroit Pistons on Monday at Littler Caesars Arena followed by game against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

After returning to Crypto.com Arena, the Lakers will take on the Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards and Cleveland Cavaliers on a three-game homestand before facing the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder back on the road on April 2 at the Paycom Center.

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