Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves is questionable to play tonight against the Houston Rockets in Game 5 of their 2026 NBA playoffs first-round series. Reaves has been questionable for the past two games, but didn’t suit up. The rising star suffered an oblique strain on Apr. 7 in a game against the OKC Thunder, ruling him out for the next five regular-season games and four games of the playoffs.
However, he could finally make his return on Wednesday. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Lakers are optimistic that Reaves can return in Game 5. Coach JJ Redick said he will remain a game-time decision. After being a full-time participant in practice, Reaves addressed his potential injury return and the factors that will determine whether he plays or not, saying (via Lakers reporter Daniel Starkland):
“Just how my body feels… Everybody is on the same page here so everything from the get-go has been a group effort. The main thing is to get me back out there as fast as I can while not putting myself at risk to re-injure myself. Everybody has been extremely positive throughout this whole process. We’re all working for one goal and we’re doing everything we can.”
The Lakers failed to close out the Rockets in Game 4 in Houston. The Rockets looked more energized with their backs against the wall, down 3-0, and played like a team that didn’t want to get swept on their home floor.
It will be crucial for the Lakers to wrap the series on Wednesday at home, and having Austin Reaves back could make a difference. While he hasn’t played in almost a month, Reaves’ gravity and ball-handling could be of great help to Los Angeles against Houston’s ball pressure, which led to the team’s 115-96 loss in Game 4.
How to watch Austin Reaves and Lakers in action in Game 5?
ESPN will nationally televise Game 5 of the Rockets-Lakers series. NBA League Pass will stream the contest live online. The game will begin at 10:00 p.m. ET.
