Lakers hold off Clippers after Austin Reaves injures calf

Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard, left, and Lakers guard Austin Reaves go after a loose ball during the first half Friday. Reaves would leave the game late in the half because of a calf injury. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)

Lakers guard Austin Reaves, amid his best season as a pro, left Friday’s game with the Lakers because of a right calf injury. He’s expected to undergo an MRI scan Saturday to determine the severity of the injury, the team said.

The Lakers would go on to win the game 106-102.

Reaves played nine minutes in the first quarter against the Clippers before checking out and heading to the locker room.

Reaves has started 52 games this season for the Lakers, averaging 19.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 6.1 assists.

Calf injuries are notoriously tricky in the NBA, with Luka Doncic missing time because of a recurring calf problem. He missed approximately seven weeks after suffering a calf strain on Christmas while with the Dallas Mavericks.

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Reaves missed five games earlier this season after sustaining a pelvic injury. He played in every game for the Lakers the previous season.

Gabe Vincent replaced Reaves in the lineup to begin the second half.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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