JJ Redick called Jake LaRavia's ankle injury "very, very low grade" after a clean MRI, with the Lakers' ironman listed as day-to-day for Game 3.
The good news came Thursday. The Los Angeles Lakers can exhale, at least a little. Jake LaRavia limped off the floor during Tuesday's 101-94 Game 2 win over the Houston Rockets, visibly favoring his right ankle after airing out a corner three in the fourth quarter and never returning to the game.
On a roster already stretched thin by the absences of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, losing LaRavia would've been a real problem.
JJ Redick made sure everyone knew how minor things actually are. "He has a very, very low grade, minor, minor, minor ankle sprain," Redick said Thursday. "An MRI came back clean and he is day-to-day." This is clearly a real injury, but not one that the fanbase should be overly stressed out about.
Apr 18, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard (15) dribbles the ball against Los Angeles Lakers forward Jake LaRavia (12) in the second half during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesLaRavia Has Played Every Game This Season
The timing of any injury concern matters, and this one matters more than most. LaRavia is the only player on the Lakers' roster who has played in all 82 regular-season games and both playoff matchups this season. This group has leaned on him heavily precisely because everyone else has taken turns in the training room.
He averaged 8.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.3 steals during the regular season on efficient shooting splits, and his value goes well beyond the box score. He's a versatile wing who can guard multiple positions, move the ball, and make winning plays without needing the offense run through him.
For a team navigating a playoff run without their two best players, that profile matters enormously. Through two games against Houston he's been modest statistically, but his presence in the rotation gives Redick options he simply doesn't have elsewhere on this roster.
Not a lot of players are suiting up for every game of the season in 2026. That's a valuable asset that LaRavia brings to the table, and his presence will be needed to win this series.
Who Steps Up If He Misses Game 3?
Game 3 tips off Friday in Houston, and while Redick's tone was optimistic, day-to-day means nothing is guaranteed. If LaRavia can't go, Jarred Vanderbilt, Marcus Smart, and even Bronny James would all be candidates to absorb additional minutes. None of those options are a clean substitute for what LaRavia brings on both ends.
Rui Hachimura is already starting and logging heavy minutes, so the depth behind him is thin. Redick will have to get creative with his rotations if the ankle doesn't respond well overnight.
The MRI being clean is the most important detail here. This isn't something that figures to linger deep into a series. But the Lakers need him on the floor Friday, and they'll know more once the official injury report drops.