Austin Reaves’ return will provide answer to Lakers biggest problem

It was less than three months ago when Reaves returned to the court after a month-plus absence due to a calf strain.

It took a few weeks for Reaves’ individual production to return to pre-injury levels, but his impact on the offense was immediately felt.

That’ll likely be the case again as Reaves works his way back from a Grade 2 left oblique strain that sidelined him for nearly a month after suffering the injury during the loss to the Thunder on April 2.

Whenever Austin Reaves returns, which could be as soon as Wednesday night vs. the Rockets, the Lakers immediately get a scorer capable of taking over at any moment. NBAE via Getty Images

As competitive as Reaves is, the Lakers’ competitive spirit hasn’t diminished during the period he and fellow star guard Luka Doncic (left hamstring strain) were sidelined, evident by the 3-2 record they closed the regular season and 3-1 lead they had in their first round playoff series against the Rockets entering Wednesday’s Game 5.

“I don’t think we’ve been missing competitive spirit, because we’ve had it for a couple of weeks with this group,” coach JJ Redick said. “He certainly adds to that. That’s what he brings every night. Then there is the basketball portion.”

Reaves’ reemergence into the Lakers’ lineup will open up offensive possibilities that were essentially closed when Doncic and Reaves were both sidelined.

With Doncic and Reaves in the lineup, the Lakers were one of the more prolific and efficient pick-and-roll teams in the NBA.

They led the league in points per possession from pick-and-roll ball handlers during the regular season, with Doncic and Reaves at the forefront.

But with the star guards sidelined, the Lakers leaned on off-ball actions significantly more within their offense to create scoring opportunities.

The shift worked.

Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves combined for 56.8 points, 13.8 assists and 12.4 rebounds per game. NBAE via Getty Images

The Lakers ended the regular season in a solid place offensively, which carried over into their playoff series against the Rockets.

They had a good offensive rating in their Game 1 victory over the Rockets (115.2 points per 100 possessions) and a solid one in the Game 2 win (113.5).

But their offensive efficiency and production gradually dipped throughout the series, including a slightly-above-average offensive rating (108.8) in the Game 3 win and a series-worst 102.4 offensive rating in Game 4 (102.4).

The Rockets’ increased defensive physicality and aggression has played a factor in the Lakers’ offensive dip.

So has the Lakers’ expected regression to the mean after a hot shooting start to the series.

But without Doncic and Reaves, they’re more limited offensively in what they can run and the variety of ways they can attack defenses.

This is where Reaves’ return will help.

Even if he isn’t back to his pre-injury form, Reaves will unlock more answers to problems defenses try to give them.

After suffering a Grade 2 oblique strain, Austin Reaves is a game-time decision for Wednesday’s Game 5 vs. the Rockets. NBAE via Getty Images

The Lakers went from one of the best pick-and-roll teams to one of the least prolific and efficient pick-and-roll teams in the playoffs.

Their off-the-dribble shooting that helped keep defenses honest during the regular season has been zapped by the absences of Reaves and Doncic.

Their 3-point volume dipped from low to even lower.

“That’s the biggest challenge we have – just the ball handling and downhill drivers, not having those guys,” Redick said.

Doncic’s hopeful return will have the biggest impact on the Lakers’ offense.

But Reaves being back on the floor will have a similar impact.

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