How Lakers can maximize Austin Reaves, Luke Kennard
The Lakers are seeking ways to maximize the on-court pairing of Austin Reaves and Luke Kennard during the 2026 NBA playoffs, especially with Luka Doncic sidelined. While both players bring valuable offensive skills, their shared floor time has resulted in poor defensive performance and a negative net rating. The team needs better synergy between Reaves and Kennard to sustain offensive momentum and extend their playoff run.
- ▪Austin Reaves returned from injury in Game 5 against the Rockets, necessitating adjustments to the Lakers' rotation.
- ▪Luke Kennard started the series strong with 50 points on 65% shooting but struggled in Games 3-5, scoring 22 points on 29% shooting.
- ▪The Lakers had a minus-5.8 net rating when Reaves and Kennard played together during the regular season and a minus-15.2 rating without Doncic.
- ▪Reaves and Kennard showed some offensive potential with Reaves handling the ball while Kennard moved off screens.
- ▪The Lakers were minus-2 in the 17 minutes Reaves and Kennard shared the floor in Game 5.
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NBA How Lakers can maximize Austin Reaves, Luke Kennard By Khobi Price Published May 1, 2026, 7:17 p.m. ET HOUSTON — As Austin Reaves was ramping up to make his eventual return to the court from a strained left oblique, Lakers coach JJ Redick was asked: How would the team manage Reaves’ role after Luke Kennard’s emergence in the playoffs? “We’ll cross that bridge when it happens,” Redick responded ahead of the Lakers’ Game 3 win over the Rockets. 3 Lakers coach JJ Redick needs to find a way to maximize the pairing of Austin Reaves and Luke Kennard. NBAE via Getty Images Well, with Reaves returning in the Lakers’ Game 5 loss to the Rockets on Wednesday, it’s time to cross the bridge.
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