Austin Reaves returns to Lakers lineup from calf strain

The Los Angeles Lakers have yet to make any trade deadline moves, but they’re getting a big addition to their roster as they close out their eight-game road trip against the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night.

Austin Reaves is set to return from a grade two calf strain, according to The Athletic’s Dan Woike. Head coach JJ Redick confirmed that Reaves will come off the bench and be on a minutes restriction to ease him back into the lineup. Nevertheless, Reaves intends to play for the first time since Dec. 25.

Here’s everything you need to know about his status ahead of tip-off:

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Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents

Oct. 26: The Dallas Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg dunks the ball past the Toronto Raptors’ Sandro Mamukelashvili at the American Airlines Center.

Oct. 26: The Washington Wizards’ Cam Whitmore dunks the ball against the Charlotte Hornets at Capital One Arena.

Oct. 26: The Brooklyn Nets’ Michael Porter Jr. dunks in front of the San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama at Frost Bank Center.

Oct. 25: The Denver Nuggets’ Christian Braun dunks the ball against the Phoenix Suns’ Grayson Allen at Ball Arena.

Oct. 24: The Memphis Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson Jr. dunks against the Miami Heat at FedExForum.

Oct. 24: The Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo dunks over the Memphis Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson Jr. at FedExForum.

Oct. 22: The New York Knicks’ OG Anunoby goes up for a reverse dunk against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden.

Oct. 22: The Utah Jazz’s Lauri Markkanen dunks against the Los Angeles Clippers at Delta Center.

Is Austin Reaves playing tonight vs. Nets?

Yes. As mentioned above, Reaves will play for the first time after missing 19 games due to a grade two calf strain and will be on a minutes restriction.

Two days ago, Reaves went through pregame warmups before the Lakers’ road game against the New York Knicks and was listed as a game time decision but was ultimately ruled out. Reaves again went through warmups on Tuesday and this time, he reportedly felt good enough to play.

Reaves had been inching closer towards a return over the past week, he was available for the first time since suffering his injury last Wednesday and had been listed as questionable in each of the Lakers’ three games since.

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