Lakers list 3 players on injury report ahead of matchup vs. Hawks

Update: Austin Reaves has been ruled out against the Hawks with an illness after initially being listed as questionable. Luka Doncic remains available, while Quentin Grimes is also out. The original report follows below.

Austin Reaves (illness) has been downgraded to OUT for tonight's game against the Hawks

— Lakers Daily (@LakersDailyCom) November 9, 2026

The Los Angeles Lakers are getting Luka Doncic back for Monday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks, but Austin Reaves’ availability remains uncertain after his 43-point performance in Detroit.

Reaves is questionable with an illness, while Quentin Grimes has been ruled out with a right finger sprain. Doncic is off the injury report after sitting out Sunday’s win over the Pistons because of lower back tightness.

The NBA’s 4:30 p.m. Eastern injury report also lists Walker Kessler as available with a left finger splint.

Reaves was already feeling ill before carrying the Lakers past Detroit. The Athletic’s Dan Woike reported that Reaves told him the symptoms began when the team arrived in Detroit on Saturday.

That leaves Los Angeles waiting on the status of one starting guard just as the other returns, with Grimes unavailable to help cover the backcourt.

Lakers injury report vs. Hawks

Coach JJ Redick said Grimes hurt his finger against the Pistons and that X-rays were negative. Grimes is nevertheless out for the second game of the back-to-back; a return date was not included in that update.

The distinction matters for the Lakers’ rotation. Grimes started in Doncic’s place Sunday, so Los Angeles cannot simply use the same replacement if Reaves is unable to play.

Doncic’s return follows a weekend in which the Lakers initially listed him as questionable against Detroit before he ultimately sat out. His removal from Monday’s report gives the Lakers their leading scorer back without resolving the uncertainty around Reaves.

Austin Reaves played through illness against Detroit

Reaves’ illness adds context to a performance that helped the Lakers win 121-116 and improve to 9-2. He scored 43 points, grabbed five rebounds and delivered four assists, then hit a late 3-pointer that gave Los Angeles breathing room.

AR says goodnight pic.twitter.com/k4O8nTAEOt

— Lakers Daily (@LakersDailyCom) November 9, 2026

The Lakers also received 17 points apiece from Collin Sexton and Ziaire Williams. Kessler contributed 12 points, 16 rebounds and three blocks, while Grimes scored 12.

That support becomes particularly relevant if Reaves cannot play in Atlanta. Sexton would be an option to take on more ball-handling responsibility, while Williams gives Redick another perimeter option.

Those are possible adjustments, rather than an announced starting lineup. The illness report does not identify a specific diagnosis.

Reaves’ performance came while he was feeling sick, but the available reporting does not establish that he had the flu.

What Luka Doncic’s return means for the rotation

Doncic returns averaging 40.1 points, 7.8 rebounds and 7.7 assists per game through nine appearances. His scoring gives Los Angeles a different starting point from Sunday, when Reaves had to carry the offense without him.

There is still a reason to watch who plays alongside Doncic. Redick recently explained how the Lakers are using other ball handlers to reduce the pressure on him, including having teammates initiate possessions before getting him the ball.

Grimes and Reaves are both part of that group, along with Sexton. If Reaves joins Grimes on the sideline, the question becomes how Redick distributes those responsibilities and organizes the minutes when Doncic rests.

Atlanta has its own availability questions. Jock Landale is questionable with a left hip strain, while Mouhamed Gueye, Asa Newell, Keshon Gilbert and Henri Veesaar are out. Those absences are listed on the same NBA report.

Monday’s tipoff is at 4 p.m. PST at State Farm Arena.