The Los Angeles Lakers’ newfound momentum is on the line against the Oklahoma City Thunder, and their hopes rest on a player whose minutes are still in question. Sunday’s win over the Golden State Warriors was only the fourth time this season the Purple and Gold won three games in a row. Now, they will host the West’s top seed on Monday, February 9, at the Crypto.com Arena. Will the return of Austin Reaves from injury give them some hope?

Overall, the Lakers are the fifth seed in the West with a 32-19 record, identical to the fourth-placed Houston Rockets. Meanwhile, the reigning champions have a sublime 40-13 record but are also massively shorthanded.

Is Austin Reaves on a minutes restriction against the Thunder?

Austin Reaves was enjoying an All-Star-level campaign with the Lakers until he suffered a left calf strain and missed 19 games. He sustained the injury on Christmas Day. The Purple and Gold missed him dearly as their offense only revolved around Luka Doncic and LeBron James. However, with Reaves returning, the Lakers will still hold an advantage, even though the Slovenian is out with “mild” hamstring complications, according to head coach JJ Redick.

However, Reaves is on a minutes restriction as the Lakers continue to proceed with caution. He is capped at 25 minutes a game. They needed all those minutes against the Philadelphia 76ers when Doncic left the court, but Reaves didn’t disappoint. The young guard dropped a 35-point bomb, helping the team register a 119-115 win. He followed it up with 16 points, eight assists, five rebounds, and two steals in 24 minutes against the Warriors in a 105-99 win.

Overall, he is averaging 26.1 points, 6.0 assists, and 5.2 rebounds while shooting 51.1% from the field in 33.9 minutes a game.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs Los Angeles Lakers Injury Report

The Lakers are without their franchise cornerstone, while the Thunder are also missing a couple of starters amid an injury crisis ahead of Monday’s showdown.

Oklahoma City Thunder Injury Report

The biggest news is the unavailability of franchise cornerstone and reigning MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He is out with an abdominal injury and will only be re-evaluated after the All-Star break. Similarly, Ajay Mitchell is out with an abdominal injury and will miss the Lakers game.

Meanwhile, Thomas Sorber, who tore his ACL in September, is undergoing rehabilitation and remains on the sidelines. However, the best news for the Thunder has to be the return of All-NBA swingman Jalen Williams, who is not listed on the injury report for this game.

Los Angeles Lakers Injury Report

Other than Doncic, the Lakers’ starting center, Deandre Ayton, is listed as probable with a knee issue. The big man missed the previous game against the Warriors owing to a last-minute decision, but he is expected to return to the lineup on Monday.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs Los Angeles Lakers predicted starting lineups

Based on the NBA injury reports, here’s how teams could line up for Monday’s showdown.

The Thunder have struggled without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, losing their second straight game to the Rockets on Saturday. These two teams last met in November, when the reigning champs cruised to a blowout 121-92 victory over the Lakers in the first of four regular-season meetings. They’re facing each other next on April 2 (home to OKC) and April 7 (home to LA), but expect today’s game to still be a high-scoring affair.