The Los Angeles Lakers just can’t seem to catch a break this season. After suffering a hard fall in Friday’s matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Austin Reaves has officially been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Utah Jazz. Reaves’ troubles began late in the second quarter in the OKC matchup when he took a hard foul from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander while driving to the basket.

The situation quickly escalated when Isaiah Hartenstein collided with him in mid-air, sending Reaves crashing to the floor. The impact was brutal—he landed hard on his back, writhing in pain for several moments before eventually stepping to the free-throw line.

Despite the visible discomfort, Austin Reaves showed grit, staying in the game briefly and even attempting a three-pointer. However, it quickly became clear he couldn’t continue. He left for the locker room just before halftime but managed to return to the bench in the second half, though his contributions were minimal.

The Purple & Gold later announced that Austin Reaves suffered a left pelvic contusion, forcing him to miss his first game of the season against Utah. Jovan Buha confirmed the news on X, adding another blow to a Lakers team already stretched thin because of injuries.

“The Lakers say that Austin Reaves (left pelvic contusion), Cam Reddish (illness), and D’Angelo Russell (illness) are all out tonight vs. Utah.”

His next chance to return will be Monday’s clash with the Timberwolves. But given the physical toll of the injury, it’s unclear if he’ll be ready. The sharpshooter’s absence couldn’t come at a worse time, as Los Angeles is also without Cam Reddish and D’Angelo Russell because of illness, leaving the LA team scrambling for reinforcements.

Who are the likely candidates to step up in the absence of Austin Reaves?

Reaves’ injury marks a tough blow for a Lakers squad already grappling with depth issues. The 2021 undrafted guard has been pivotal in stabilizing the team’s offense this season. Despite the painful fall and visible discomfort during the OKC game, his decision to step up for free throws exemplified his trademark grit—a quality that has earned him a devoted fanbase in Los Angeles.

However, his absence immediately raises questions about the team’s backcourt rotation. With Austin Reaves and two significant absences in Reddish and D’Lo, the Purple & Gold faces the daunting task of compensating for the lost firepower.

Max Christie is a name who can see increased minutes with the 26-year-old sidelined. Furthermore, Gabe Vincent already received the nod for his first start of the season. In his last five outings off the bench, Vincent averaged 2.4 points while shooting 50.0% from the floor across only 12.6 minutes per game. Given Reaves’ recent history of minor injuries—he suffered a thigh issue earlier this season and an ankle scare during a Raptors game—the Lakers are likely to proceed cautiously with his recovery.

Whether the Lakers can rally through their growing list of injuries will significantly shape their momentum going forward.