HERE'S HOPING LAKERS GET CHANCETO SEE AUSTIN REAVES IN PLAYOFFS…Really hurts Lakers if Austin Reaves does not get a chance to show what he can do in playoffs. Hard to give a guy a max contract when there are legitimate concerns about his ability to stay healthy when bullied… https://t.co/m16NHC5PVq pic.twitter.com/4w54WrKfz3— LakerTom (@LakerTom) April 8, 2026
The biggest reason for the Lakers to keep #4 seed and home court, beat the Rockets in the first round, and see Luka and Austin return for the second round would be to see how the Doncic and Reaves backcourt does in the playoffs as well as how Austin handles the physical defense he will get in playoffs. Seeing how Reaves does in second year of playoffs is critical info for LA.