Will Austin Reaves Play vs Grizzlies? Lakers Release Injury Report

In a clash of Western Conference playoff hopefuls, the 44-29 Los Angeles Lakers are slated to square off against the 44-29 Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night.

It will represent the first game Memphis has played since firing head coach Taylor Jenkins on Friday morning. He has been replaced with one of his assistants, 2024 EuroCup Coach of the Year Tuomas Iisalo, on an interim basis.

L.A. currently occupies the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference, while Memphis is a slot below it at No. 5. If the postseason kicked off right now, the two clubs would face off against each other in a 4-5 matchup.

That's why every game down the home stretch of the season matters.

Although 21-time All-Star Lakers power forward LeBron James has recently been reincorporated into the team's lineup following a seven-game groin injury absence, it appears that another one of the club's best scorers and creators may sit out this must-win clash against the Grizzlies.

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Jovan Buha of The Athletic reported Friday that guard Austin Reaves, the team's third-leading scorer, was considered questionable to suit up through a right ankle sprain.

Reserve power forward/center Maxi Kleber, who has yet to make his Lakers debut, remains on the shelf as he recuperates from a right foot surgery.

Lakers’ injury report vs. Memphis tomorrow:
— Austin Reaves (right ankle sprain) is questionable. pic.twitter.com/HYRunTPYr6
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) March 28, 2025

Reaves, 26, is in the midst of a breakout season for the Lakers.

Since L.A. traded to acquire five-time All-NBA First Team superstar guard Luka Doncic in February, questions have abounded about Reaves' fit next to Doncic and James, two elite scorers and ball handlers who both are less than fully engaged on defense.

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Across 65 healthy contests this season, the 6-foot-5 "Hillbilly Kobe" is averaging a career-high 19.9 points on a .454/.358/.880 slash line, along with 5.9 dimes and 4.4 boards a night. Head coach JJ Redick has often had no choice but to play all three of Reaves, Doncic and James despite their defensive issues. Against an ailing Memphis club, he'd no doubt love to have that luxury.

At last, the Lakers have officially revealed Reaves' status for the matchup.

Austin Reaves (ankle) available to play Saturday.
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) March 29, 2025

The action tips off at 5 p.m. PT in FedEx Forum. Los Angeles has lost three of its last four games, and is borderline desperate to right the ship against a reeling Grizzlies squad.

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