Austin Reaves gets heartfelt support from Lakers’ bestie Luka Dončić amid calf injury

Austin Reaves’ Christmas night ended early. The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a heavy loss to the Houston Rockets. The blow extended when team watched one of its most reliable guards, Austin Reaves, leave the floor before halftime, clutching the same calf that had sidelined him earlier this month. As medical evaluations loomed, Reaves received immediate backing from someone who knows the toll of that injury better than most. Luka Dončić, his new best pal, shared his honest and heartfelt message for Reaves as he is recovering for a stronger comeback to lift the roster from heavy heartbreaks.Austin Reaves was ruled out after halftime with left calf soreness. Following the game, Luka Dončić confirmed that Reaves would undergo further testing and extened his support.“I talked to him,” Luka said. “He just said he didn’t know. He’ll have an MRI tomorrow. I just said, ‘If you need something to help, I know what it is to go through calf injury.’ It’s not fun at all. Just be there to support him. Calf (injuries) are dangerous so just take your time.”Medical clarity arrived soon after. Reaves was diagnosed with a Grade 2 left gastrocnemius strain and is expected to be re-evaluated in roughly four weeks. His absence leaves a noticeable gap. Reaves entered the game averaging over 26 points per night, and his efficiency and playmaking have been vital to the Lakers’ offense. With him sidelined, the burden shifts further onto Dončić and LeBron James while the rotation adjusts.The connection between Reaves and Dončić has grown rapidly since Luka’s arrival in Los Angeles. Their chemistry shows up during games, but it is rooted in genuine trust off the court.“We act like we're probably 10-year old best friends,” Reaves told ESPN recently. “You have a deeper care for one another than just basketball. And then that bleeds into basketball, because you don't want to let that person down. ... You don't want to not give it your all.”Dončić also shared his thoughts on the friendship. “We kind of understand each other -- what the other is going to do. So I would say it's a little bit natural.”Reaves is reportedly sidelined for at least a month with a calf injury.Also Read: “He does nothing” — Ex-NBA coach delivers rare Luka Doncic criticism while comparing him to Stephen Curry