Reaves Day-to-Day After Heel Injury

Austin Reaves is day-to-day with a bruised left heel after suffering the injury during the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-112 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday. Head coach JJ Redick announced the diagnosis on Friday, noting that the team and player mutually agreed to skip imaging based on Reaves' physical evaluation and comfort level.

Reaves injured his heel with 8:21 remaining in the third quarter. He attempted a two-handed dunk against Bucks center Kel'el Ware, landed awkwardly, and remained on the court for three additional minutes before exiting with medical staff. The team ruled him out midway through the fourth quarter.

Redick described the injury as minor. "AR, based on his physical evaluation and how he was feeling yesterday, we opted against imaging," Redick said. "He’ll be day-to-day. We’ll have him on the (injury) report tomorrow at 5 (p.m.)."

The Lakers begin play at 5 p.m. on Sunday against the Phoenix Suns. Reaves is expected to be evaluated closer to tip-off. If he is unavailable, Collin Sexton may assume additional ball-handling duties, though Sexton is also day-to-day with a laceration above his right eye sustained in the same game.

Sexton and Bucks guard Ryan Rollins collided during a post-up opportunity. Redick confirmed that the team ruled out a concussion for Sexton. Sexton left Milwaukee with stitches. Rookie Cameron Carr, who played rotational minutes against the Hawks on Monday and the Bucks on Wednesday, may also see increased time if Reaves sits.

Luka Doncic, who leads the NBA in scoring with 38.6 points per game, suffered a right ankle tweak in the same contest. He walked without a visible limp after the game. Redick expects Doncic to play on Sunday. Guard Quentin Grimes, who sprained his right finger, is also expected to return Sunday after participating in a stay-ready game on Friday.

The Lakers hold an 11-2 record and lead the Western Conference. They rank first in the league in points per game at 122.2 and field goal percentage at 50.3 percent. Reaves averages 24.7 points per game. The team has played two games without Reaves this season, winning both. They beat the Atlanta Hawks 124-114 on Monday when he sat out with illness.

Reaves signed a four-year, $180 million max-level contract with the Lakers during the offseason. The team rebuilt its roster around him and Doncic, adding center Walker Kessler following the departure of LeBron James. Last season, Reaves missed 31 games due to calf and oblique strains, during which the Lakers won 17 games.

Doncic missed five days in December 2024 with a similar left heel bruise while playing for the Dallas Mavericks. Redick said he did not know if the two stars discussed their shared injury history. "I know those guys text 47 times a day, so maybe there’s a chance," Redick said. "Austin said he woke up yesterday at 7 a.m. and he had four texts from Luka, so maybe one of those was the heel text. I don’t know."

The Lakers hosted their annual Thanksgiving Feast and Season of Giving event at their training facility on Friday. The team welcomed 100 children from the After-School All-Stars, Los Angeles program. Players signed autographs and participated in carnival-style games with the students. Forward Ziaire Williams noted the team's collective relief regarding the injuries. "We’re all happy they’re good," Williams said. "I don’t think there was ever really a concern, so to speak, but yeah, happy they’re good and hopefully we keep the wins going."