Lakers’ Austin Reaves Could Return for Game Three Against Rockets: A Potential Series-Swinging Boost

The Los Angeles Lakers are in an enviable position. Up 2-0 on the Houston Rockets in their first-round Western Conference playoff series, they have already stolen home-court advantage and now head to Houston for Game Three on Friday with a chance to bury their opponents. But the most intriguing headline coming out of Los Angeles on Thursday evening is not about LeBron James’s continued defiance of father time or the Lakers’ stifling defense. It is the potential return of Austin Reaves.

According to the Lakers’ official injury report, Reaves has been upgraded to “questionable” for Game Three. The 26-year-old guard has been sidelined since April 4 with a right oblique muscle strain—a devastating late-season injury that threatened to derail a Lakers team already navigating the absence of league-leading scorer Luka Doncic, who has been out with a hamstring strain. If Reaves suits up in Houston, the series could shift from a competitive battle to a full-blown Lakers avalanche.

The Timing of the Return: Why Game Three Matters

Let’s be clear: The Lakers have not missed Reaves as much as expected. Why? Because LeBron James, at 41 years old, is playing like a man who has discovered the fountain of youth. In Games One and Two, James averaged 32.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 7.5 assists, reminding everyone why he remains the most feared closer in NBA history. But relying on a 41-year-old to carry the scoring load for an entire playoff series is a recipe for disaster—especially against a hungry Rockets team that features Kevin Durant.

Game Three is traditionally the most pivotal contest in any playoff series. A 3-0 lead is essentially insurmountable. A 2-1 lead gives the trailing team hope. The Rockets, now playing in front of their home crowd at the Toyota Center, will be desperate to avoid the latter. They will throw everything they have at the Lakers, and that is precisely where Reaves becomes a game-changer.

How Reaves Changes the Lakers’ Offensive Ceiling

Austin Reaves is not just a role player. In the 2024-25 regular season, the undrafted guard from Oklahoma averaged a career-high 23.3 points per game, along with 6.1 assists and 5.2 rebounds. He was the Lakers’ second-leading scorer behind Doncic, and his ability to create his own shot off the dribble, knock down pull-up threes, and draw fouls made him a nightmare for opposing defenses.

Without Reaves, the Lakers’ offense has been more predictable. They have leaned heavily on James in isolation, with Anthony Davis serving as the primary interior option and D’Angelo Russell providing sporadic perimeter shooting. But against the Rockets’ switch-heavy defense, the Lakers have lacked a third creator who can break down a set defense. Reaves provides that.

Here is what Reaves’s return would mean for the Lakers’ offensive structure:

• Pick-and-Roll Mastery: Reaves operates as a primary ball-handler in the pick-and-roll with elite efficiency. His ability to read drop coverage and hit the mid-range jumper or find the rolling big man (Davis) would force the Rockets to adjust their defensive schemes.
• Spacing for LeBron: With Reaves on the court, James can operate more off the ball. Reaves’s 38.7% three-point shooting on high volume forces defenders to stay attached, opening driving lanes for James to attack the rim.
• Late-Game Clutch Factor: Reaves has developed a reputation as a clutch performer. In close games, he is not afraid to take—and make—big shots. His presence would give the Lakers a third reliable option in the final minutes, reducing the burden on James and Davis.

The Rockets’ Counterpunch: Kevin Durant’s Injury Woes

While the Lakers are getting healthier, the Rockets are suddenly dealing with their own injury crisis. Kevin Durant, who was acquired in a blockbuster seven-team deal from Phoenix last July, was downgraded to “questionable” for Game Three with a sprained left ankle. This is a massive blow for Houston.

Durant was already a late scratch for Game One of this series due to a bruised knee, and his availability has been inconsistent. In Game Two, he played 38 minutes and scored 28 points, but he was visibly hobbled in the fourth quarter. The Rockets’ offense revolves around Durant’s ability to create offense from anywhere on the floor. Without him at 100%, Houston becomes a far less dangerous team.

The contrast is stark. The Lakers, who looked like a vulnerable team when both Doncic and Reaves went down in April, are now on the verge of getting back a 23-point-per-game scorer. The Rockets, who had the luxury of a healthy Durant for most of the season, are now facing the possibility of playing without their best player in a must-win game.

Expert Analysis: The X-Factors for Game Three

From a tactical standpoint, Game Three will be a chess match between Lakers head coach JJ Redick and Rockets head coach Ime Udoka. If Reaves plays, Redick must manage his minutes carefully. Reaves has not played in nearly three weeks. Expect him to be on a minutes restriction, likely in the 22-26 minute range.

Here is how I see the game unfolding:

• First Quarter: The Rockets will come out with immense energy. The home crowd will be electric. Expect Houston to try to establish an early lead by feeding Alperen Sengun in the post against Davis. If Durant is out or limited, Sengun becomes their primary offensive weapon.
• Second Quarter: This is where Reaves could make his biggest impact. He would likely come off the bench, facing the Rockets’ second unit. His ability to draw fouls and get to the free-throw line would slow down Houston’s transition game and keep the Lakers within striking distance.
• Fourth Quarter: If the game is close, expect LeBron James to take over. But with Reaves on the floor, the Rockets cannot double-team James as aggressively. That single adjustment—having a third star-level creator—could be the difference between a nail-biter and a comfortable Lakers win.

I predict the Lakers will win Game Three, even if Durant plays. The reason is simple: depth and experience. The Lakers have been through playoff wars. The Rockets, while talented, are still figuring out how to win in high-pressure moments. Adding a healthy Reaves to a team that already has James and Davis is a luxury few teams can match.

The Bigger Picture: What This Series Teaches Us About the Lakers

This series is a microcosm of the Lakers’ entire season. They have been battered by injuries, questioned by pundits, and written off by fans. Yet here they are, two wins away from advancing to the second round. The resilience of this group, anchored by James’s leadership and Davis’s two-way dominance, is remarkable.

If Reaves returns and plays well, it will send a clear message to the rest of the Western Conference: The Lakers are not just a feel-good story. They are a legitimate contender. The combination of James’s playoff brilliance, Davis’s defensive anchoring, Doncic’s eventual return, and Reaves’s scoring punch gives Los Angeles one of the most balanced rosters in the league.

Final Prediction: Lakers Take a 3-0 Lead

Game Three is set for Friday night in Houston. The Rockets will fight. They will play with desperation. But the return of Austin Reaves—even in a limited role—provides the Lakers with a weapon they have sorely missed. Expect Reaves to score 14-18 points, hit a few crucial threes, and help the Lakers secure a hard-fought 112-106 victory.

The series will then head to Game Four with the Lakers holding a 3-0 lead. And at that point, it will not be a question of if the Lakers advance, but how quickly they can rest up for the next round.

Bottom line: The Lakers are getting healthier at the perfect time. The Rockets are not. And in the NBA playoffs, that is often the difference between going home and chasing a championship.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.