Austin

Reaves

Shams notes that Dončić and Austin Reaves (oblique) are unlikely to be available for the Lakers’ first-round series against the Rockets. Filling the void left by LA’s superstars will be no easy task, and the Lakers will tackle the issue using a platoon approach. Luke Kennard, Jake LaRavia and Rui Hachimura should be the next men up in the rotation.

The two California teams squared off on Thursday, and it was James who carried the Lakers to a comfortable win. The four-time Finals MVP picked his spots and converted efficiently as a scorer to lead the Lakers in total points. And when he wasn’t scoring, the veteran forward displayed the type of vision that’s made him such a unique player throughout his career. James worked the defensive glass fairly well, nearly well enough to tally another triple-double. He has taken control of the Lakers’ offense lately with the injuries to Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, and that should remain the case as long as they’re out of the lineup.

Smart’s absence on Tuesday will mark his eighth straight. With injuries to Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, and now Smart, the Lakers’ backcourt depth is being tested. Luke Kennard and Jake LaRavia could start and see extended minutes, yet again.

Reaves was injured early in Thursday’s loss to the Thunder. While he continued to play through the injury, the Lakers’ guard appeared to be a shell of himself. With Saturday’s update, the Lakers will finish the regular season without two of their best players, as Luka Dončić (hamstring) was also injured on Thursday. Rui Hachimura and Luke Kennard should take on bigger roles within the rotation, with one moving into the starting lineup.

Dončić injured his left hamstring during Thursday’s loss to the Thunder and exited the game immediately. With the Lakers’ star done for the rest of the regular season, he’ll fall one game shy of the 65-game minimum to be eligible for postseason awards. More importantly, Dončić is out indefinitely, and it’s unknown if he’ll be healthy enough to play in the postseason. With Marcus Smart also out, Rui Hachimura is likely to move into the starting lineup. Friday’s injury news also puts more playmaking responsibilities on LeBron James and Austin Reaves.

Reaves appeared to tweak something on the left side of his lower back early in Thursday’s game. While he did play 27 minutes, the Lakers’ guard appeared to be a shell of himself for most of the night. And with Luka Dončić leaving Thursday’s game with a left hamstring injury, the Lakers can’t afford to lose Reaves as well. The Lakers won’t play again until Sunday in Dallas, so Reaves will have a little more time to recover.

Despite not shooting the ball well, Reaves got to the line consistently, neared the 20-point mark, and finished as one of the Lakers’ best scorers on the evening. The versatile combo guard struggled with five turnovers, as well, but made up for his miscues by nearly reaching double figures in assists. Monday wasn’t one of Reaves’ best games, but it could be one that fantasy managers end up being satisfied with.

Reaves was at his best in the fourth quarter, scoring 15 points to help the Lakers pull away from the Nets. He’s now scored at least 24 points in four straight games, the second time he’s accomplished that feat this month. If Luka Dončić has to serve a one-game suspension on Monday after picking up his 16th technical foul during the third quarter, Reaves could go off in a big way against the lottery-bound Wizards.

Reaves was one of four Lakers starters to finish Wednesday’s victory with at least 21 points. He’s scored at least 24 in each of his last three appearances, and the eight assists against the Pacers were the most in a game for Reaves since the Lakers’ March 18 win over the Rockets. The Lakers play once more in Week 22, when they host the lottery-bound Nets on Friday.

Reaves and Luka Dončić combined to score 59 of the Lakers’ 105 points in Orlando, helping extend the team’s win streak to nine games. Since the All-Star break, Reaves has provided third-round value in eight-cat formats. And his fantasy value during the Lakers’ win streak aligns with the post-break production. And despite being on the injury report with a hip injury, Reaves played 40 of a possible 48 minutes against the Magic.