Austin Reaves faces a potential absence of up to 10 games after injuring his left heel during the Los Angeles Lakers’ 11 November game against the Milwaukee Bucks. The injury occurred in the third quarter, when Reaves went up for a dunk on a fast break and landed awkwardly.
Dr. Brian Sutterer, a sports physician, outlined possible diagnoses and recovery timelines for the injury. The least severe diagnosis would be a heel bruise, with an expected layoff of at least four games, roughly 1.3 weeks. A strain involving the entire plantar fascia could keep Reaves sidelined for nine games or about 2.7 weeks. The most serious scenario, a torn plantar fascia, would likely mean missing at least 10 games, close to three weeks. “Plantar fascia strain/tear would be top of my list for Austin Reaves,” Dr. Sutterer wrote alongside his report on the potential injuries.
Imaging results are still pending, with the Lakers planning further examinations soon after their return to Los Angeles from Milwaukee. ESPN reporter Shams Charania shared that Reaves was expected to undergo tests for his heel injury shortly after the travel.
Reaves has been an important offensive contributor for the Lakers this season. He is averaging 24.7 points, 4.7 assists, and 3.3 rebounds while shooting 51.3% from the field and 40.9% from three-point range. Losing him for an extended period would present a challenge for the team’s rotation and offensive flow.
Despite the setback, Lakers star Luka Doncic expressed confidence in the squad’s depth after the win over the Bucks. “I think we just got to have next-man-up mentality. Obviously, we lose a very, very good player. Hopefully it’s not – it’s nothing. We got to have next-man-up mentality,” Doncic said. He himself sustained a minor injury in the fourth quarter but indicated he should be ready for their next game.
The Lakers are scheduled to play the Phoenix Suns on Sunday, 15 November. Charania reported that Doncic woke up without pain and was expected to follow his usual treatment routine ahead of the game. The status of Reaves remains uncertain until the results of his tests come through.
The Lakers will be hoping the injury is on the mild end of the spectrum, given Reaves’ scoring and playmaking contributions. Any extended absence for him would test the team’s resilience as they navigate the season. The upcoming medical evaluations will clarify the extent of the injury and the length of time Reaves will be sidelined.
According to Yahoo Sports.
