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Dave McMenamin
LOS ANGELES — Lakers guard Austin Reaves exited Friday night’s game against the LA Clippers in the first quarter with right calf soreness and will not return, according to the team.
Reaves will undergo an MRI on the calf Saturday, sources told ESPN.
The fourth-year veteran subbed out with 2:58 remaining in the first quarter with the Lakers trailing 21-13 and went straight to the locker room. He finished the night with six points on 2-for-4 shooting.
Reaves had been enjoying some of the best basketball of his career, averaging 23.5 points, 6.1 assists and 4.5 rebounds in 11 games in February entering Friday. L.A. went 9-2 in those games.
The Lakers already came into the night down one starter in Rui Hachimura, who was ruled out because of a left knee strain he suffered Thursday against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Lakers coach JJ Redick said Hachimura had an MRI on Friday, but did not provide a timeline for the forward to return to game action.
“We’re optimistic this is not a serious injury,” Redick said. “It’s still not quite clear on when he will be available to play. But we’re optimistic.”
Dorian Finney-Smith started the Clippers game in Hachimura’s place. Gabe Vincent started the second half on Friday with Reaves out.