Even in limited minutes, Austin Reaves is filling a Luka Doncic-sized gap for the Los Angeles Lakers. He’s almost averaging as many points as minutes since returning from a 19-game absence. However, head coach JJ Redick is exercising patience since the 27-year-old suffered a tissue injury, which was labeled a calf strain.

Reaves has played in four games since returning from his ailment, each of those coming off the bench. Aside from Redick joking that he will keep him on the bench if Reaves can get 30+ points in limited minutes, has he progressed enough to get back into the starting lineup?

Is Austin Reaves starting tonight vs the Dallas Mavericks?

The Lakers will once again be without Doncic, who is recovering from a hamstring injury. His former team, the Dallas Mavericks, is coming to LA for an enticing matchup before the All-Star break begins. The Purple and Gold would want Austin Reaves to be at his best to maximize his impact. However, as of right now, there doesn’t appear to be a concrete decision on his minutes restriction.

Reaves was rested as a precautionary measure when the Lakers faced the San Antonio Spurs. Redick clarified that the team had already planned for the standout guard to play in just one of the back-to-back games to prevent aggravating his injury.

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The Lakers do need Reaves to play as many minutes as possible. However, with a break right around the corner, it’s unlikely for Redick to push him into the starting lineup after just four games. A calf strain is a tricky injury to navigate, and also one that can flare up just as easily if it’s overworked.

Redick confirmed right before the Mavericks game that Reaves will remain on a minutes restriction, according to reporter Daniel Starkand.

The Lakers wouldn’t want to risk a worse outcome. Luka Doncic has also stated that the best way to recover from a calf injury is to give the muscle ample time to heal. It is likely that Reaves will continue to come off the bench in their upcoming game against the Mavericks, and this might also be the last time that happens.

Victor Wembanyama sets the precedent for handling Austin Reaves’ injury

A sad development over the past few years is the increasing number of soft-tissue injuries in the NBA. The silver lining is the range of options teams have used to treat players. The Spurs may have handled their superstar Victor Wembanyama’s return from a calf strain in the most efficient manner.

Wembanyama missed 12 games with a calf strain. Upon his return, he came off the bench for seven consecutive games. They didn’t lift his minutes restriction for anything, even if the Spurs needed him in crunch time. He’s now started the last 15+ games and shows no signs of discomfort.

Expect the Lakers to take a similar path with Austin Reaves. With him having missed more games than Wembanyama, the Lakers will have to be all the more careful in increasing his workload. The All-Star break will also allow him to get additional rest. Hence, after the break, the Lakers will expect to have a fully healthy roster with no limitations on any of their players.