Austin

Reaves

While Reaves reached double figures in all five games of the series, his production shifted offensively after the first two games. According to Lane, the Lakers guard injured his toe during Game 3, impacting Reaves on both ends of the floor. In the first two games, 13 of Reaves’ 27 field goal attempts were three-pointers. In Games 3 through 5, 33 of his 46 attempts came from beyond the arc. He could not be as explosive as needed off the dribble, which factored into the Lakers dropping the series’ final three games. With the early elimination, Reaves will have ample time to recover ahead of the 2025-26 season.

Though it was a strong season overall for Reaves, his playoff series against Minnesota was one to forget. He averaged just 16.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and three triples while shooting 41.1 percent from the floor during the gentlemen’s sweep. Reaves was incredible after the All-Star break, which made his postseason so disappointing. Still, he’ll be an intriguing option entering drafts next season after finishing inside the top 50 in nine-cat leagues this season.

Hachimura and Austin Reaves (17/7/4/1/2 with five three-pointers) combined to shoot 10-of-22 from beyond the arc in Game 4, providing solid shooting alongside LeBron James and Luka Doncic. And this was a needed effort for the former, as he totaled 28 points in the first three games of the series. The Game 4 version of Hachimura is who needs to show up for Game 5 on Wednesday, as the Lakers are a loss away from elimination.

Reaves really struggled in Saturday’s loss in Game 1, and some of those shooting woes carried over into Game 2. He didn’t hit a three-pointer, which was just the third time that has happened since the calendar flipped to 2025. However, he was more efficient from the floor overall. The offense will continue to run through Luka Doncic, which means Reaves will continue to get good looks from beyond the arc. He just needs to start making them. Look for that to start happening in Game 3 on Friday.

While Luka Doncic went off for 37 points, Reaves and LeBron James combined to score 35 in Saturday’s Game 1 defeat. And this wasn’t the easiest matchup for Reaves during the regular season. In three meetings with the Timberwolves, he averaged 17.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.0 steals and 2.0 three-pointers while shooting 42.5 percent from the field. Reaves is one of many Lakers who will need to bring more to the table if they’re to win this series. Game 2 is scheduled for Tuesday, with the Lakers aiming to even the series before it shifts to Minneapolis.

With the Lakers securing the third seed in the West with a win over Houston on Friday, most of their key rotation players will not play in Portland. Doncic and Reaves are sitting, freeing additional rotation minutes for Jordan Goodwin. Goodwin is considered probable for Sunday’s game, so he should be available and is worth rostering in active leagues. Bronny James may also play extended minutes due to the Lakers’ lengthy injury report.

Reaves and the Lakers were excellent on Friday, shooting nearly 61 percent from the field. Reaves made 66.7 percent of his attempts, finishing one block shy of a complete stat line. With Friday’s victory securing the three-seed for the Western Conference playoffs, it’s possible that Reaves does not play in Sunday’s regular season finale in Portland. If he gets the day off, Jordan Goodwin (3/6/3 with one three-pointer) and Gabe Vincent (one rebound, one assist and one steal) are two players whose playing time would increase.

This was the fourth-straight game that Reaves has scored at least 20 points and the seventh time in his last eight games that he has reached that mark. He has also averaged 5.8 threes per game over his last four appearances. Reaves has solidified his role as the Lakers’ third option and has thrived in it. He’ll look to stay hot against the Mavericks on Wednesday, though all eyes will be on Luka Doncic in his return to Dallas. Reaves had 20 points against the Mavs in February.

No surprises here as both Reaves and Finney-Smith were upgraded to probable Tuesday afternoon. Reaves had 20 points in the win over the Thunder on Sunday. Finney-Smith figures to move into the starting lineup Tuesday with Rui Hachimura (knee) already ruled out.

The Lakers had five players initially listed as questionable, and all of them have been upgraded to probable. Reaves had 20 points in a big win over Oklahoma City on Sunday and will continue to start in the rematch. DFS will likely slide into the starting lineup with Rui Hachimura (knee) sidelined.