The Lakers waiting for more information about Austin Reeves after the star guard left Wednesday night’s win in Milwaukee with a left heel injury, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. Reaves landed awkwardly after missing a fast-break dunk with 8:21 left in the third quarter. He stayed in the game after a timeout, but left for good three minutes later, limping to the locker room and being escorted by the team’s medical staff.
coach Jay Jay Reddick told reporters that X-rays taken at the arena were negative and Reaves will undergo further testing when the team returns home today. McMenamin adds that Redick was able to rule out concerns about an Achilles injury.
Reaves, one of the few holdovers from last year’s roster, is averaging 24.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 12 games and has a strong case for his first All-Star appearance early in the season. He had 18 points, five assists and three steals in 25 minutes on Wednesday as Los Angeles won its seventh straight game.
“I think we just have to have a next-man-up mentality,” Luka Doncic said. “Obviously we’re losing a very, very good player. Hopefully it’s not – it’s nothing.”
McMenamin adds that Doncic had an injury scare late in the game, twisting his right ankle when Kyle Kuzma fouled him when throwing in the long jump. Their feet collided, but Doncic doesn’t believe it’s cause for concern.
“I’m fine” he said. “A little sore, obviously, but I’ll be fine.”
Also, a backup guard Colin Sexton He had to get stitches over his right eye after a head-on collision Ryan Rollins and leaving the game midway through the fourth quarter.
There are more from the Pacific Division:
- After scoring 23 points off the bench for the second straight game, Sandro Mamukelashvili talked about confidence Lakers has shown in him since he joined the team in free agency this summer (Link to video on Twitter from McMenamin). “I hope I get better” he said. “I hope to start believing in myself as much as they do.”
- The The necklaces had discussions with Gabe Vincent this week, sources tell Mark Stein of The Stein Line (Link to Twitter). A free agent guard who has been on Sacramento’s radar since the summeris awaiting his next NBA opportunity after finishing last season with Atlanta. The Kings still open the roster after reaching an agreement with Mason Plumlee Wednesday evening.
- Warriors center Charles Bassey had mocking comments to Rockets security guard Marcus Smartwho was ejected for punching him on Wednesday, repeatedly calling it “fake toughness” Luca Evans of The San Francisco Chronicle writes in history only for subscribers. “I knew he would do something” – said Bessie. “I was baiting him to do something because I knew he was going to do something. I don’t think he was trying to play. I think he was trying to take himself out of the game. He wasn’t trying to play … I think he was trying to cool it down. He wasn’t trying to hit, bro.”
