The breakout guard has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 left gastrocnemius (calf muscle) strain and will be re-evaluated in four weeks, the team announced.
Reaves previously missed three games due to the lingering calf issue before returning to L.A.’s lineup on Tuesday in a loss to the Suns.
The injury resurfaced on Christmas Day when Reaves left just before halftime against the Houston Rockets and did not return for what the team described as left-calf soreness.
“Austin clearly felt something,” Lakers head coach JJ Redick said after the game. “We did our normal halftime, and then as we were walking out of the locker room, (Lakers director of player performance and health) Dr. (LeRoy) Sims told me he was out.”
The 27-year-old is averaging career-best numbers this season, putting up 27.3 points (11th in the NBA), 5.4 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.0 steals through 21 games entering Christmas Day.
Reaves left Thursday’s matchup against Houston after just under 15 minutes of action, racking up 12 points on 5-of-8 shooting, one rebound, one assist and one block. It’s unclear when in the game Reaves re-aggravated the calf injury, but the undrafted guard did not start the second half before eventually being ruled out.
His absence will undoubtedly be felt by the skidding Lakers — losers of three straight — as Reaves ranks top five on the team in points (second), assists (third) and rebounds (fourth).
