Lakers' Austin Reaves Officially Questionable for Game 4 vs. Rockets

The Los Angeles Lakers continue trending in the right direction in the injury department, with guard Austin Reaves potentially on the verge of returning to the floor.

Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Lakers have a commanding 3-0 lead in their first-round playoff series with the Houston Rockets, with the storied franchise pulling off an incredible overtime victory in Game 3.

Ahead of Game 3, the Lakers announced an unexpected update on rising star Austin Reaves, who has been sidelined with an oblique strain since April 2. Reaves was upgraded to questionable, but then downgraded to out before tipoff on Friday.

Austin Reaves Listed as Questionable for Game 4 vs. Rockets

Although Reaves ultimately missed Game 3, he's clearly trending in the right direction and has been listed as questionable once again ahead of Game 4.

Austin Reaves is QUESTIONABLE for Game 4 pic.twitter.com/IVqBQAolvF

— Ryan Ward (@RyanWardLA) April 25, 2026

Obviously, this is another step in the right direction for the Lakers, as they'll potentially get one of the best players, scorers and ballhandlers back on the floor to continue the team's playoff run, which has been impressive, to say the least, considering the circumstances.

Kevin Durant is Also Questionable for Game 4

Kevin Durant | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Along with Reaves potentially making his return with the questionable status, Rockets superstar forward Kevin Durant, who has missed two of the first three games of the series, is also questionable for Sunday's game in Houston.

Durant caused quite a stir when he was ruled with a left ankle sprain ahead of Friday's game at the Toyota Center because he wasn't even seen on the bench or at any point throughout the night, raising some questions about what is going on with the two-time NBA champion.

Rockets head coach Ime Udoka claimed that Durant was simply getting treatment and that was the reason for his absence on the bench, which makes sense, considering these two teams will get back at it on Sunday for what could be a series-clinching Game 4 for the Lakers.

If Durant is ruled out for a second straight game, the Rockets' chances of staying alive this series drop dramatically, as the Lakers have been the better all-around team throughout the first three games. Even if Durant does return, it's highly unlikely he's 100 percent, as he wasn't in Game 2, when he turned the ball over a game-high 9 times.

As for Luka Doncic, the wait continues, with the superstar still working his way back from a hamstring injury. The expectation for Doncic is that he'll miss the entire first round but could return in the second round if the Lakers advance.

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