Austin Reaves Out 4 to 6 Weeks, Lakers Brace

Merlin sees Austin Reaves has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 left oblique injury and is "expected to miss four to six weeks," meaning he will be sidelined to begin the playoffs. He suffered the injury in the first half of L.A.'s 139-96 loss to Oklahoma City, had an MRI after a brief locker-room visit, and will finish the regular season with a career-low 51 games. Reaves is averaging 23.3 points, 5.5 assists and shooting 49.0 percent. The oracle notes how much the Lakers lose on both ends; L.A. is plus-5.0 net with Reaves on the floor. His absence forces JJ Redick to reshuffle rotations and lean on role players for creation and spacing. With playoffs starting April 18 and rehab timelines uncertain, Merlin senses Los Angeles can survive a short stretch but that the margin for error just shrank.