The Los Angeles Lakers have updated Austin Reaves’ status for Monday’s game against the Charlotte Hornets.
The Lakers labeled Reaves as questionable for their road game against the Hornets as the guard recovers from a minor groin injury.
Austin Reaves (groin) questionable for Monday.
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) November 9, 2025
This season, Reaves is averaging 31.1 points, 9.3 assists, and 5.1 rebounds. He has stepped up for the Lakers during Luka Doncic’s and LeBron James’ absences this season.
More news: Former Lakers Coach Darvin Ham Gets Honest About Why Russell Westbrook Era Failed
He scored 51 points against the Sacramento Kings when his two teammates were out. Reaves averaged 37.9 minutes per game early in the season, and the increased workload might have led to the groin injury.
With him nearing a return, the Lakers also hope to get James back.
He has been out with a sciatic nerve issue, and the 40-year-old has not played a game yet this season.
The Lakers are 2-1 without Reaves this season, having beaten the Portland Trail Blazers and San Antonio Spurs, but lost their last game against the Atlanta Hawks.
More news: Lakers’ JJ Redick Reveals ‘First Person I Called in Free Agency’ This Summer
Austin Reaves has a player option he’ll likely decline for 2026-27, in lieu of becoming an unrestricted free agent next summer. His strong start to the 2025-26 season is creating buzz that he is in line for a major pay bump.
According to Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst of ESPN, people around the NBA believe that he has played himself into more money with his performance thus far.
“The belief around the league is that $30 million per year is the absolute baseline for Reaves’ services. (There are currently 59 NBA players making at least that much),” Bontemps wrote in an ESPN story.
“Another executive theorized that with Reaves being able to get as much as four years and roughly $180 million from another team in free agency, that a five-year deal for more total dollars could be a good compromise to get a deal done to keep Reaves in L.A.”
For the Lakers, Reaves’ play raises an interesting dilemma that may result in them paying more than they expected.
The return of LeBron James could decrease Reaves’ production, potentially lowering his value for the next contract. Regardless of how the rest of his season unfolds, Los Angeles will have to pay if they want to keep one of their most consistent players.
For more news and notes on the Los Angeles Lakers, visit Los Angeles Lakers on SI.
