Make California Post a Preferred Source The Lakers received positive injury news following multiple scares in Wednesday’s win over the Bucks.
Lakers coach JJ Redick said Reaves suffered a left heel bruise Wednesday and is listed as day-to-day after he subbed himself out of the third quarter and didn’t return in the Lakers’ 123-112 win.
The Lakers’ medical staff and Reaves jointly determined that he didn’t need further imaging after seeing how he felt Thursday morning. Reaves had X-rays following Wednesday’s game and they were negative.
As for Doncic, who tweaked his right ankle in the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s game against the Bucks?
“Luka is fine,” Redick said. “I think the expectation would be he’s available.”
Collin Sexton is also listed as day-to-day after receiving multiple stitches to close a deep cut over his right eye after he and Ryan Rollins bumped heads in the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s game.
Redick said a “concussion [was] ruled out” for Sexton.
Meanwhile, Quentin Grimes, who missed the Lakers’ last two games because of a sprained right finger, participated in the live portion of the “stay ready game” at Friday’s practice.
Grimes, who had his finger taped, didn’t hesitate when asked if he believes he’ll be available Sunday.
“I definitely expect to play, for sure,” Grimes said, adding that the swelling has gone down and his finger is “basically back to normal.”
It’s all positive news for the Lakers, who have won seven straight games and have the best record in the league at 11-2.
While Doncic spoke after Wednesday’s game saying his ankle was “painful a little bit but I’ll be fine,” there was significantly more worry around Reaves, who did not speak to the media after the Lakers’ win and was expected to receive imaging upon the team’s return to Los Angeles — until it was deemed unnecessary.
When Redick was asked if Doncic advised Reaves about the heel injury he suffered in 2024, the coach said he wasn’t sure.
“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.”
Following a brutal stretch of three road games in four days, including a back-to-back, the Lakers have a much-needed three days to regroup before their next game against the Suns on Sunday.
“I think given the nature of both the condensed schedule and this new trip that they’re adding for us – and I’m sure they’re doing it for other West Coast teams, these early season three-games-four-nights going East that’s never happened before, since I’ve been part of the NBA,” Redick said.
