After preseason absences, Austin Reaves reveals Game 1 status

Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves is set to play in the Lakers’ season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday. Reaves missed two preseason games as he dealt with a minor ankle injury. On Monday, Reaves said his ankle felt “better” and he was ready for Tuesday’s game, according to The Athletic’s Jovan Buha.

Reaves missed the Lakers’ preseason game against the Bucks, as well as their final preseason game against the Golden State Warriors on Friday. The Lakers had planned to rest Reaves during this final preseason game anyway, as none of the team’s starters played.

In the four preseason games he played in, Reaves averaged 14 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game.

As the 26-year-old enters his fourth season with the Lakers, Reaves believes the team needs to start faster to see better success this season.

“Yeah, I think the last few years we’ve been playing catch-up,” Reaves said Monday, via Buha . “We didn’t have a good first part of the year. I think that’s an important component of having a good year: going out on a high note and keeping it going.

“We have three home games,” Reaves said. “Try to go win them all. And then I think we’re a road trip every other day. The first of the year. I think it’s hard to play every day in the NBA because it’s so tiring. Not only for your body but mentally too. So I think a good start would be good for us.”

The Lakers started the 2023-24 season 3-5, losing two of their first three games to start the year. The previous season provided an even rougher start as the Lakers lost each of their first five games and 10 of their first 12 games overall. Although the Lakers ended up advancing to the Western Conference Finals that season, they had to make the playoffs that year. Only four Lakers players remain from this club’s 2022-23 Opening Night roster: Reaves, apparent swingman 3 and D Max Christie, plus All-Stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Having Reaves ready to start the season should help, although the Lakers will be without three role players to start the season. Jarred Vanderbilt, Christian Wood and Christian Koloko will be unavailable and will not play against Minnesota.

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