LA Lakers injury report (Dec. 2): Latest on Austin Reaves and D’Angelo Russell’s status vs. Timberwolves
Austin Reaves and D'Angelo Russell are questionable for the LA Lakers’ game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday. Reaves was ruled out ahead of the Lakers’ 105-104 win on Sunday against the Utah Jazz due to a pelvic contusion. Russell was doubtful before the team held him out because of a non-Covid-related illness.
The Lakers will play the second leg of a back-to-back set, so their injury report will not come out until hours before the game. Reaves and Russell are questionable until their team gives further updates about their status.
What happened to D'Angelo Russell?
D'Angelo Russell missed his first game of the season on Sunday due to an illness. He played well against the OKC Thunder on Friday before going down with an ailment. Russell had 17 points, nine rebounds and two steals in 26 minutes in the LA Lakers’ 101-93 home loss.
What happened to Austin Reaves?
Like Russell, he didn’t suit up against the Jazz. The Lakers’ starting shooting guard fell hard in the second quarter of their game versus Oklahoma. Austin Reaves attacked the rim with 2:31 remaining in the period when he was met mid-air by Isaiah Hartenstein and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. AR writhed in pain upon landing.
Per Dan Woike of of LA Times:
“Sources tell me Austin Reaves received imaging on his back and that it showed no structural damage after a scary fall Friday against OKC.”
Reaves traveled with his team to Salt Lake City for the Lakers-Jazz game.
When will D'Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves return?
D'Angelo Russell, like Reaves, went to Utah for the matchup against the Jazz. They will go with the team to Minnesota for the Timberwolves game. The LA Lakers training staff will continue to monitor them and give an update on their status hours before tip-off.
Whoever can’t play on Monday will have the opportunity to return to action on Wednesday against the Heat in Miami.
The Lakers need both Russell and Reaves to return
The LA Lakers had trouble beating the Utah Jazz, which missed a few key players. Despite Anthony Davis and LeBron James putting up big numbers, the team needed a Jazz late-game clock mismanagement and a Collin Sexton fumble to win.
JJ Redick’s lineup becomes more potent and cohesive when Russell and Reaves are available.