After preseason absences, Austin Reaves announces Game 1 status

Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves is ready to play in the Lakers' season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday. Reaves missed two preseason games as he struggled with a minor ankle injury. According to The Athletic's Jovan Buha, Reaves said on Monday that his ankle feels “great” and he is ready for Tuesday's game.

Reaves missed the Lakers' preseason game against the Bucks as well as their final preseason game against the Golden State Warriors on Friday. The Lakers had planned to rest Reaves during the final preseason game anyway, as none of the team's starters played.

In the four preseason games he played in, Reaves averaged 14 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game.

As the 26-year-old enters his fourth season with the Lakers, Reaves believes the team needs to get off to a quicker start to achieve greater success this season.

“Yeah, I feel like we’ve caught up in the last couple of years,” Reaves said of Buha on Monday. “We didn’t have a strong first part of the year. I think that's an essential part of a good year – coming out with a good vibe and carrying that forward.

“We have three home games,” Reaves said. “Try to win everyone.” And then I think we'll go on a road trip every other day. The first of the year. I think it's hard to catch up in the NBA because it's so tiring. Not just physically, but also mentally. That’s why I think an early, good start would be good for us.”

The Lakers started the 2023-24 season 3-5 and lost two of their first three games to start the year. The previous season got off to an even tougher start, as the Lakers lost each of their first five games and 10 of their first 12 games overall. Although the Lakers reached the Western Conference finals this season, they had to fight their way into the playoffs this year. Only four Lakers players remain from that club's opening roster for the 2022-23 season: Reaves, rumored 3-and-D swingman Max Christie, and All-Stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

It should help that Reaves is ready for the start of the season, even though the Lakers will be without three key players early in the season. Jarred Vanderbilt, Christian Wood and Christian Koloko will all be unavailable and will not play against Minnesota.

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