Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves made headlines on Monday right after the Golden State Warriors announced an update on Steph Curry's injury. According to Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, Curry will remain out through the All-Star break due to a lingering knee injury. This means the former back-to-back MVP will also be unable to play in the All-Star Game.
Reaves, on the other hand, has looked great in his return to action for the Los Angeles Lakers. The 6-foot-5 shooting guard recently came back from a 19-game absence due to a calf strain. In his first three games back, Reaves has averaged 22.0 points on 55.6% shooting, 5.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.0 triples in just 23.3 minutes off the bench.
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Curry was named an All-Star for the 12th time in his career amid another strong season for the Warriors. The 37-year-old, however, will be forced to miss this weekend’s festivities as he continues to nurse a knee problem. Curry sat out a fourth straight game on Monday, and Golden State has also ruled him out for Wednesday’s game against the San Antonio Spurs.
The NBA will now need to fill Curry’s spot in the All-Star squad. The four-time NBA champion point guard was named a starter for the West.
Lakers fans have one person in mind for Curry’s recently vacated All-Star spot. The L.A. faithful are adamant that Reaves deserves a call-up after he was snubbed for what would have been his first All-Star appearance.
“It’s Austin Reaves time,” a post on X read.
“100%! Austin Reaves should step in for Curry in the All-Star Game ⭐🏀” read another.
“ALLSTAR my boy already🐐🐐🐐” declared a supporter.
“If it weren't for the injury, he'd be there. So yeah Austin is 100% an All-Star,” a reaction read.
“NBA REPLACE CURRY WITH AUSTIN REAVES FOR THE ALL-STAR GAME!!!!” a fan demanded.
“Austin Reaves will make a great replacement for Steph Curry,” a user wrote.
There are a few other players in the West who will be in contention for Curry’s All-Star spot apart from Reaves, though. Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen and Dillon Brooks of the Phoenix Suns are a couple of names that immediately come to mind.
At this point, despite the insistence of Lakers fans, Reaves is far from a shoo-in for the All-Star Game on Sunday.