The Los Angeles Lakers are walking into State Farm Arena on Monday night with a major hole in their backcourt. Quentin Grimes has been ruled out for the game against the Atlanta Hawks due to a right finger sprain. This news hits just as the team tries to keep their five-game winning streak alive. Even though X-rays came back negative, the injury is serious enough to keep him on the sideline. According to the NBA’s official 1 p.m. ET injury report, Grimes will not play. His absence leaves a huge gap in the lineup that coach JJ Redick must now fill.
Grimes Injury Creates a Gap
Grimes left the game against the Detroit Pistons early in the fourth quarter on Sunday. He had just 9:14 remaining when he checked out and went straight to the locker room with a medical staff member. ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported that the veteran guard injured a finger on his right hand. The initial tests showed no fracture, which offered some hope. However, the team has now confirmed the problem is a sprain. The Lakers have not given a timeline for his return beyond this single game. Losing a player who scored 12 points and grabbed four assists in his last 31 minutes is a real blow. He shot 4-for-12 from the field before his night ended. That kind of production is hard to replace on a back-to-back night.
Reaves Status Adds More Stress
To make matters worse, Austin Reaves is listed as questionable because of an illness. He carried the offense with a massive 43-point explosion in Sunday’s 121-116 win over Detroit. The Hawks will be ready for a battle, but the Lakers are dealing with two key backcourt issues at once. Reaves was essential when Luka Doncic sat out with lower-back tightness. Now, with Grimes out and Reaves sick, the rotation looks thin. With recovery time restricted, the Lakers face their second match across two nights. Heavy.com reports that while Reaves has not been excluded by the team, his condition remains uncertain. His availability could become crucial against a Hawks team that is building momentum at home.
Luka Doncic is expected to return after missing Sunday’s contest with back tightness. The Slovenian superstar was not listed on Monday’s injury report. He enters the weekend averaging an NBA-leading 40.1 points and scored 53 against Portland on Friday. His return gives the offense a reliable centerpiece, but the backcourt depth is still shaky. The Lakers improved to a 9-2 record with their win over Detroit.
