Lakers’ Reaves, Rockets’ Durant questionable to play in Game 3

Austin Reaves, sidelined with a Grade 2 left oblique strain, was upgraded to questionable for Game 3 of the Los Angeles Lakers’ first-round series against the Houston Rockets, while Rockets star Kevin Durant was listed as questionable because of a left ankle sprain, it was announced Thursday.

Reeves suffered the injury in L.A.’s 139–96 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 2. In the same game, Luka Doncic suffered a Grade 2 left hamstring strain. Doncic is listed as out for Game 3.

Lakers coach JJ Redick said Reaves began his return-to-play program earlier this week, starting with 1-on-1 work on the court Tuesday.

The 27-year-old Reeves averaged a career-best 23.3 points during the regular season, shooting 49% from the field (36 from 3), along with 5.5 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.1 steals.

The 37-year-old Durant missed the first game of the series due to a right knee injury.

He returned for Game 2 and led Houston with 23 points on 7-for-12 shooting in 41 minutes, but the Lakers won 101–94 and went up 2–0 in the series. Durant struggled in the second half on Tuesday, scoring only three points on 1-for-5 shooting and committing five of his postseason career-worst nine turnovers after the break.

Without Reeves and Doncic, LA finished the regular season 3–2, falling from the No. 3 spot in the Western Conference playoff bracket to No. 4, setting up a series against the No. 5 Rockets.

Lakers backup forward Jake Laravia also is dealing with a “very low-grade, minor” right ankle sprain suffered in Game 2, Redick said after practice Thursday before the team’s flight to Houston. Redick said an MRI of Laravia’s ankle came back clean, and Laravia was not listed on the Game 3 injury report.