Luke

Kennard

Kennard’s availability gives the Lakers another scoring option off the bench against a Thunder defense that has overwhelmed teams throughout its title defense. The three-point specialist hasn’t had much success since the beginning of the Lakers’ first-round series against the Rockets. He’s shot 2-of-10 from deep and totaled only 18 points over the last four games.

Kennard is dealing with neck soreness and is listed as questionable for Game 2 on Thursday. With Austin Reaves returning to the starting lineup in Game 6 of the first round series against the Rockets last week, Kennard will be back in a bench role if he’s available for Game 2.

After coming off the bench in his first game back from a strained oblique, Reaves has returned to the Lakers’ starting lineup. He replaces Luke Kennard, who missed all four of his shot attempts in Game 5 and scored just one point. The Lakers are looking to avoid having to play a Game 7 on Sunday after winning the first three games of this series.

With Wednesday’s game being the first for Reaves since April 2, he was used in a reserve role. There were no restrictions for the Lakers’ guard, who logged 34 minutes. Reaves did not shoot the ball well from the field, but a 12-of-13 night at the foul line boosted the point total. Reaves may return to the starting lineup for Game 6 on Friday, especially when considering how poorly Luke Kennard played. Missing all four of his field-goal attempts, Kennard finished Game 5 with one point, three rebounds, two assists, two steals and one blocked shot. Whether he continues to start or gets bumped to the bench by Reaves, the Lakers need more from Kennard.

After more than three weeks on the sidelines with a strained oblique muscle, Reaves is good to go for Game 5. His return will not push Luke Kennard to the bench, as the Lakers are sticking with the lineup that started the first four games of this series. Kennard is joined in the lineup by Marcus Smart, Rui Hachimura, LeBron James and Deandre Ayton.

While there was hope that Reaves would be available for Game 4, the Lakers’ 3-0 series lead may have factored into the decision to keep him out. Luke Kennard will remain in the starting lineup, and he has been productive throughout this series.

The Lakers can close out the Rockets on Sunday, and they may get back one of their key scorers. Reaves, who has been out since April 2 with a strained oblique, is closing in on a return. Given where the series stands, the Lakers can take a conservative approach to working Reaves back into the lineup once he’s available. Luke Kennard has been the starting off-guard, and that will remain the case until Reaves returns.

Reaves was initially listed as questionable and considered a game-time decision. After working out on the court pregame, he was ruled out. Luke Kennard will continue to start and put up points without Reaves, who hasn’t played since April 2.

Reaves’ upgrade on the injury report to questionable is an encouraging sign, signaling a potential return to the floor. He hasn’t appeared in a game since April 2, when the Lakers lost to the Thunder. The Lakers have gotten big production from others in Reaves’ absence, specifically from Luke Kennard, who is averaging 25 points through two playoff games. Should Reaves return in Game 3, it’ll likely be as a starter.

Kennard followed up his 27-point performance in Game 1 with 23 points in Game 2. The Lakers will certainly take this kind of production from Kennard while Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) are still out. Expect more of the same from Kennard until the Lakers get their stars back, though the Lakers will face a tough environment in Houston for Game 3 on Friday.