Will they play on Wednesday?
Los Angeles Lakers guards D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves are listed on the injury report for the 3-1 Lakers ahead of their fifth game this season, facing the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday. Russell is questionable due to lower back soreness, while Reaves is probable with a left thigh bruise.
Big men Christian Wood, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Christian Koloko, who was recently cleared by the NBA’s fitness panel on Tuesday, are all out for this matchup.
LeBron James has been dealing with a minor illness since last Friday, but he isn’t on the injury report and is expected to play.
Neither Russell nor Reaves have missed any of the Lakers’ first four games. Reaves is averaging 19.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game this season, and he has scored over 20 points in two games, likely playing a key role on Wednesday against the Cavaliers.
Last season, Reaves played in all 82 games for the Lakers, starting 57 and averaging 32.1 minutes per game. Although he missed two preseason games with an ankle injury, his current issue is with his thigh.
Russell has had a slower start, failing to score double digits in his first two games. However, he scored at least 14 points in the last two games and is currently averaging 11 points, two rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game, with shooting percentages of 38.1 percent from the field and 28 percent from three, both below his career averages.
If either Reaves or Russell sit out or play fewer minutes, Max Christie and 2024 first-round pick Dalton Knecht could see more action. Knecht is averaging 15 minutes, 5.8 points, 0.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game, while Christie is playing 16 minutes, with averages of 3.0 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game, shooting 33.3 percent from the field.