Austin Reaves And Luka Doncic Injury Updates Put Lakers’ Momentum Under Spotlight After Bucks Win

Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves face injury concerns© Instagram/ austinreaves12 | Joe Boatman/Getty Images via AFP

Austin Reaves left the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-112 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night with a heel injury, and his status for Sunday is unclear. Coach JJ Redick said the Lakers guard's X-rays came back negative, but more imaging is set for Thursday. Luka Doncic also hurt an ankle late in the game, though the damage there looks minor. Los Angeles has won seven straight and sits at 11-2. Reaves had 18 points and three steals before heading to the locker room, and Redick gave no timetable for a return.

How Serious Is Austin Reaves' Injury After The Bucks Game?

Austin Reaves walked to the locker room in the third quarter with the medical staff by his side, and he did not return. The Lakers guard had 18 points, five assists, three rebounds and three steals in 25 minutes, shooting six of 10 from the field and five of five at the line.

Redick gave the first update after the game. “[Reaves'] X-rays were negative,” he said. “We'll get imaging tomorrow. Probably no update besides that.” A negative X-ray is good news, though it does not rule out every type of injury. ESPN's Dave McMenamin reported Redick said the team is not worried about the Achilles.

Reaves missed Monday's win over Atlanta with an illness and was back in the lineup Wednesday. On Sunday, Reaves had scored a season-high 43 in a 121-116 win over Detroit while Luka Doncic sat out with lower back tightness. When Doncic is out, the offense runs through Reaves.

Doncic Ankle Scare Looks Minor As Lakers Eye Phoenix

Doncic landed on Kyle Kuzma's foot during a fourth-quarter and-one and stayed on the floor in clear pain. Doncic then shot the free throw and went to the locker room with Los Angeles up 114-90 and 4:23 left.

The five-time All-Star still finished with 32 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals in 32 minutes. Doncic hit five threes and came in as the league's top scorer at 39.3 points per game.

Doncic's own read was calm. “Obviously painful a bit but I'll be fine,” he said after the game. Redick's tone matched: “Luka, I think is fine. Just a light tweak.”

Los Angeles plays Sunday at Phoenix, the last stop of a four-game road trip, and a four-game homestand follows. The three days off give both guards time to heal. The Lakers have been sitting at least one of Doncic or Reaves on one night of back-to-backs, so a cautious call in Phoenix is possible.