Austin Reaves returns for Lakers in Game 5, scores 11 points and 6 assists

13 articles · Updated · ESPN · Apr 29

Reaves came off the bench after missing nine games with a strained oblique, sharing the Lakers' first-half scoring lead with Marcus Smart as Los Angeles trailed Houston 51-47 at halftime.
His return followed a four-game postseason absence and helped bolster the Lakers, who maintained their usual starting lineup and aimed to close out the series at home.
The Lakers led the series 3-1 despite injuries to key players, while the Rockets forced Game 5 after winning Game 4; Luka Doncic remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Without Durant, can Houston's young core upset the Lakers and extend the series?

How will the Lakers fare against the dominant Thunder without star Luka Doncic?

Is the Kevin Durant trade experiment in Houston officially a failure after this series?

Should the Rockets trade their aging superstar or build a new team around him?

What does this series reveal about pairing veteran superstars with young, developing rosters?