The Los Angeles Lakers extended their winning streak to seven games with a 123-112 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday, but the win came at a cost. Three of the Lakers’ main rotation players, Austin Reaves, Luka Doncic and Collin Sexton, all suffered second-half injury scares.
Reaves exits with heel injury
Reaves’ injury was the most serious. He landed awkwardly after a missed fast-break dunk with 8:21 remaining in the third quarter. He returned to the game after a timeout, but he subbed himself out with 5:20 left in the third. He limped off the court, accompanied by Lakers medical personnel, and did not return. He finished with 18 points on 6-for-10 shooting, five assists and three steals in 25 minutes.
Lakers coach JJ Redick said X-rays taken on Reaves’ heel at the arena came back negative. He added that the team would not know more about Reaves’ status until he undergoes further evaluation when the Lakers return to Los Angeles on Thursday. Redick did rule out any concerns about Reaves’ Achilles tendon.
“No update on AR until we’ll have imaging tomorrow,” Redick said.
Doncic rolls ankle, Sexton cut above eye
Doncic turned his right ankle with 4:25 remaining in the fourth quarter. He was attempting a long jump shot and was fouled by the Bucks’ Kyle Kuzma with leg-to-leg contact. Doncic appeared to avoid serious injury, and he still finished with 32 points.
“I’m good,” Doncic said. “Obviously painful a little bit, but I’ll be fine.”
Doncic also spoke about the team’s depth if Reaves is sidelined. “I think we just got to have next-man-up mentality,” he said. “Obviously, we lose a very, very good player. Hopefully it’s not — it’s nothing. We got to have next-man-up mentality.”
Backup guard Collin Sexton also left the game. He bumped heads with the Bucks’ Ryan Rollins and exited with 6:51 remaining in the fourth quarter. Redick said Sexton needed stitches above his right eye.
Lakers get rest before Suns game
The Lakers have a short break to recover. They do not play again until Sunday, when they face the Phoenix Suns on the road.