Austin Reaves Injury Update: Latest News on Lakers Guard After Missing Kings Game

Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick provided an update on Austin Reaves.

by Ayomide Adeduyite

Oct 5, 2026

Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) sits on a bench prior to a game.

Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Lakers will begin the 2026-27 preseason without Austin Reaves, who was ruled out of Monday night’s matchup against the Sacramento Kings after tweaking his ankle.

Reaves entered the preseason as one of the most important pieces of Los Angeles’ revamped roster alongside Luka Doncic and newly acquired center Walker Kessler. The Lakers were expected to give their core players an early opportunity to build chemistry, but Reaves’ injury has changed those plans for the opening game.

The Lakers are also without several other players, including Kessler, Collin Sexton and two-way player Arthur Kaluma.

JJ Redick Shared an Update on Austin Reaves

Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) speaks to the media.

Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Reaves tweaked his ankle during pregame drills, according to Lakers head coach JJ Redick. The injury is not considered serious, with Redick telling The Athletic’s Dan Woike that Reaves is day-to-day.

Reaves averaged 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists in 2024-25 before taking another step forward last season.

Kessler will also miss the preseason opener after jamming his finger. Like Reaves, the new Lakers center is considered day-to-day, and Redick said there is nothing major with the injury. Kessler’s absence means the Lakers will have to wait to see their new starting center play alongside Doncic and Reaves.

Sexton and Kaluma are also unavailable Monday night. Sexton’s status had already been uncertain after he was seen with his right lower leg wrapped during Monday’s shootaround, while he also did additional work with the team’s strength and conditioning staff.

Austin Reaves Signed a 4-Year Deal During the Offseason

Reaves enters the season as the Lakers’ longest-tenured player following LeBron James’ departure to the Philadelphia 76ers. He joined Los Angeles as an undrafted free agent in 2021 and is now entering his sixth season with the franchise.

The Lakers rewarded Reaves’ progression this offseason by re-signing him to a four-year maximum contract worth about $185 million, making it the richest contract ever given to an undrafted NBA player.

Reaves’ status for Tuesday’s preseason game against the Warriors remains uncertain and his availability will likely depend on how the ankle responds.