Reaves Shines as Injury‑Plagued Lakers Struggle

Austin Reaves has shouldered the Lakers' offense amid a rash of injuries, exploding for back‑to‑back 51- and 41-point games while averaging well into the 30s through the first four games and playing heavy minutes as the primary creator. Los Angeles has been crippled by injuries — including LeBron James (sciatica) — and at times has been missing as many as seven players, leaving limited ball‑handlers and secondary playmaking. Despite Reaves' efficiency and a near triple‑double in the 51‑point game, fatigue, turnovers and a lack of secondary creation contributed to a 122–108 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, who forced 25 Lakers turnovers. Deandre Ayton has fast‑tracked chemistry with Reaves via more two‑man actions, but the stretch has raised a roster dilemma: continued breakout production could price Reaves into a max‑level free agent market and complicate the Lakers' future construction. Coach J.J. Redick and players stressed the need to get healthy to avoid burning out Reaves and to restore offensive balance if Los Angeles wants to remain a Western Conference contender.