Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves is set to play in the Lakers’ season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday. Reaves missed two preseason games as he dealt with a mild ankle injury. On Monday, Reaves said his ankle felt “great” and he was ready for Tuesday’s game, according to Jovan Buha of The Athletic.

Reaves missed Friday’s Lakers preseason game against the Bucks and their final preseason game against the Golden State Warriors. The Lakers planned to rest Reaves for that final preseason game anyway, as none of the team’s starters played.

Through the four preseason games he played in, Reaves averaged 14 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game.

With the 26-year-old entering his fourth season with the Lakers, Reaves believes the team needs to get off to a faster start to find more success this season.

“Yes, I feel like we’ve been catching up over the last few years,” Reaves said Monday, via Buha. “We haven’t had strong first parts of the year. I think that’s a big part of a good year: doing well and continuing that.

“We have three games at home,” Reaves said. “Try to win them all. And then I think every other day we’ll take a road trip. The first one of the year. I think it’s hard to catch up in the NBA because it’s so tiring. Not only on your body, but also mentally. So I think an early good start would be good for us.”

The Lakers started the 2023-2024 season 3-5, losing two of their first three games to start the year. The season before got off to an even rougher start as the Lakers lost each of their first five games, and 10 of their first 12 games overall. Although the Lakers ultimately advanced to the Western Conference Finals that season, they had to fight their way into the playoffs that year. Only four Lakers players remain from that club’s 2022-2023 opening night roster: Reaves, apparent 3-and-D swingman Max Christie, plus All-Stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Having Reaves ready for the season opener should help, even though the Lakers will be without three role players for the season. Jarred Vanderbilt, Christian Wood and Christian Koloko will all be unavailable and will not play against Minnesota.

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