The Los Angeles Lakers will be without star guard Austin Reaves when they host Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night. Reaves was officially ruled out with right groin soreness, marking his second straight missed game for a Lakers team already battling a long injury list.
Five Lakers Sidelined, Including LeBron James and Gabe Vincent
Reaves joins LeBron James (right sciatica), Maxi Kleber (abdominal strain), rookie Adou Thiero (left knee recovery) and Gabe Vincent (left ankle sprain) on Los Angeles’ injury report. Head coach JJ Redick will once again be forced to shuffle his rotation as the Lakers try to extend their winning streak to four games.
Despite the setbacks, the Lakers are coming off a spirited 123–115 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday, achieved without Reaves, James, or Luka Dončić in uniform.
Reaves’ Breakout Season Halted by Groin Injury
Getty Austin Reaves of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after the Lakers made a basket.
Reaves’ absence is a blow for a Lakers squad that has leaned heavily on him during the early stretch of the 2025–26 NBA season. The 27-year-old guard has been in All-Star form, averaging 31.1 points, 9.3 assists, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.4 steals through seven games.
He leads the Lakers in points (218), assists (65), three-pointers made (21), and plus-minus among starters (+46) while shooting nearly 49% from the field. With James yet to play this season and Dončić managing his workload, Reaves has carried much of the team’s offensive burden — reflected in his career-high 29.5 usage rate, up from 23.1 last year.
Reaves’ continued development has also increased his value heading into the 2026 NBA free agency. League executives expect him to decline his 2026–27 player option, with some projecting he could command a deal worth over $40 million per season.
Luka Dončić Returns After Rest, Chasing More History
The Lakers received a major boost with Dončić cleared to return on Wednesday following a one-game rest. Dončić has been on a tear since joining Los Angeles, posting 41.3 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 8.3 assists through his first four games — numbers that have vaulted him into early NBA MVP conversation.
According to NBA.com/Stats, Dončić’s 165 points through his first four games are the most ever by a Laker to start a season, surpassing legends Jerry West (154 in 1969–70) and Kobe Bryant (146 in 2005–06).
In his most recent outing, Dončić tallied 29 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in a triple-double performance against Miami that powered Los Angeles to its third straight win.
Spurs Reeling After First Loss
Wembanyama and the Spurs are looking to rebound from their first defeat of the season — a 130–118 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Sunday. The Spurs will be without rookie standout Dylan Harper (left calf strain) and All-Star guard De’Aaron Fox (hamstring).
The matchup marks the first meeting this season between Dončić and Wembanyama — two of the league’s most electric young stars — in a game expected to draw national attention.
Next Men Up: Nick Smith Jr., Hachimura, and Ayton
With Reaves out, the Lakers will hope Nick Smith Jr., who is on a two-way contract, can duplicate the best game of his career. The 21-year-old guard scored a career-high 25 points and six assists off the bench in the win over Portland.
Los Angeles also got dominant performances from its frontcourt tandem: Rui Hachimura poured in 28 points, while Deandre Ayton delivered his best outing as a Laker with 29 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks against his former team.
The Lakers (5–2) will tip off against the Spurs (4–1) at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN in what could be another statement night for Dončić and the shorthanded Lakers.
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