Austin Reaves: Lakers Have to Weather Storm Through Injuries & Rough Part of Schedule

The Los Angeles Lakers are no strangers to adversity, and this season has been no exception. Injuries and a grueling stretch of games have tested the team’s depth and resilience. Young star Austin Reaves understands the challenges ahead but remains confident that the Lakers can push through the tough times.

Battling Injuries

The injury bug has hit the Lakers hard, sidelining key players and forcing head coach Darvin Ham to make constant lineup adjustments. LeBron James, who continues to defy Father Time, has battled nagging injuries, while Anthony Davis has had his share of health concerns as well. Other key contributors, such as Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent, have also missed significant time, further complicating the rotation.

Reaves, who has stepped up in multiple roles this season, acknowledged the difficulties but emphasized the importance of a ‘next-man-up’ mentality. “It’s tough when you’re missing guys, especially key players who do so much for the team,” Reaves said. “But we’ve got to find a way to fight through it. Everyone needs to step up and contribute, whether it’s scoring, defense, or just bringing energy.”

Despite the setbacks, Reaves has been a steady presence for the Lakers. His ability to play both guard positions, create his own shot, and facilitate for teammates has been crucial in keeping the team competitive. With LeBron and Davis in and out of the lineup, Reaves has often been relied upon to carry more of the offensive burden.

Tough Part of the Schedule

Compounding the Lakers’ struggles is an unforgiving stretch of games against elite competition. In the past few weeks, the Lakers have faced teams such as the Denver Nuggets, Milwaukee Bucks, and Boston Celtics—all of whom are among the top title contenders. These matchups not only test the Lakers physically but also mentally, as each game requires high-level execution.

Reaves recognizes that the team must stay locked in during this rough patch. “This is where we find out what we’re made of,” he said. “We can’t make excuses because every team goes through tough stretches. It’s about staying together and trusting our system.”

Another concern is the extensive travel and back-to-back games. Fatigue plays a role, and with the Lakers’ aging core, it becomes even more challenging to maintain peak performance. To combat this, the coaching staff has focused on managing minutes, utilizing bench players, and emphasizing recovery strategies.

The Importance of Role Players

One of the key takeaways from this difficult period is the emergence of role players. Aside from Reaves, players like D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, and Taurean Prince have had to elevate their play. Russell has been instrumental in providing additional scoring, while Hachimura’s versatility on both ends of the floor has given the Lakers a needed boost.

Reaves highlighted the importance of every player embracing their role. “We’re at our best when everyone is engaged and contributing,” he noted. “It’s not just about one or two guys. We need the whole team to step up, whether that’s knocking down open shots, getting stops on defense, or making hustle plays.”

Learning from Adversity

While the Lakers are struggling to maintain consistency, Reaves views this as an opportunity to grow. He understands that adversity can make the team stronger in the long run, especially with the playoffs on the horizon. “You don’t want to go through a season without challenges,” Reaves explained. “It prepares you for the playoffs when every possession matters. If we can come out of this stronger, it’ll make us even more dangerous down the stretch.”

As the Lakers navigate their toughest part of the season, their focus remains on getting healthy and finding a rhythm. The Western Conference is highly competitive, and every win matters. Reaves and his teammates are determined to stay the course and fight through the adversity.

Moving Forward

The road ahead won’t get any easier, but the Lakers have a history of rising to the occasion. If they can survive this stretch and regain full health, they remain a formidable team capable of making a deep postseason run. For now, Reaves and the rest of the squad must continue grinding, trusting each other, and staying resilient.

“We’ve got to keep pushing,” Reaves said. “We believe in ourselves, and as long as we keep working, we’ll get through this. It’s just a matter of staying the course and keeping that competitive mindset.”

Lakers fans will certainly hope that Reaves’ optimism translates into on-court success as the team fights through one of the toughest phases of their season.