Lakers’ Reaves, Rockets’ Durant questionable to play in Game 3

Austin Reaveswho has been sidelined due to a Grade 2 left indirect pressure, was upgraded to questionable for Game 3 of the Los Angeles Lakers‘first-round collection towards the Houston Rocketswhereas Rockets star Kevin Durant was listed as questionable due to a sprained left ankle, it was introduced Thursday.

Reeves suffered the harm in LA’s 139-96 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 2. In the identical recreation, Luka Doncic suffered a Grade 2 left hamstring pressure. Doncic is listed as out for Game 3.

Reaves started his return-to-play program earlier this week, beginning with 1-on-1 on-court work Tuesday, Lakers coach JJ Redick stated.

Reaves, 27, averaged a career-best 23.3 factors in the course of the common season, taking pictures 49% from the sector (36% from 3), with 5.5 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.1 steals.

Durant, 37, missed Game 1 of the collection due to a proper knee contusion.

He returned for Game 2 and led Houston with 23 factors on 7-for-12 taking pictures in 41 minutes, however the Lakers received 101-94 to go up 2-0 in the collection. Durant struggled in the second half Tuesday, scoring simply three factors on 1-for-5 taking pictures and committing 5 of his profession postseason-worst 9 turnovers after the break.

Without Reaves and Doncic, LA completed the common season 3-2, falling from the No. 3 spot to No. 4 in the Western Conference playoffs bracket, establishing a collection towards the No. 5 Rockets.

Lakers backup ahead Jake LaRavia can also be coping with a “very low grade, minor” proper ankle sprain suffered in Game 2, Redick stated after apply Thursday earlier than the workforce’s flight to Houston. Redick added that an MRI on LaRavia’s ankle got here again clear, and LaRavia was not listed on the harm report for Game 3.