Lakers skip imaging on Austin Reaves’ bruised heel and call him day-to-day, and JJ Redick expects Luka Dončić to play in Phoenix

The Los Angeles Lakers decided Austin Reaves did not need more imaging on his left heel. JJ Redick said after practice on Friday that Reaves has a bruise on the heel and is day-to-day, and that the team will list him on Saturday’s injury report ahead of Sunday’s game in Phoenix. Redick also said he expects Luka Dončić, who grabbed his right ankle late in Wednesday’s win in Milwaukee, to play.

“Luka is fine. I think the expectation would be he’s available,” Redick said. “AR, based on his physical evaluation and how he was feeling yesterday, we opted against imaging. He’ll be day-to-day. We’ll have him on the report tomorrow at 5 o’clock.”

Austin Reaves has a bruised heel and is day-to-day, per JJ Redick. Redick said that Reaves and the medical staff opted against imaging on the injury. pic.twitter.com/XR66Era8Co
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) November 13, 2026

JJ Redick on Austin Reaves after Lakers practice on Friday. Video: Dave McMenamin on X.

No imaging after all

That is a change from the plan Redick laid out on Wednesday night. Reaves landed awkwardly after a missed fast-break dunk in the third quarter at Fiserv Forum, took himself out a few minutes later and did not return. Redick said then that X-rays were negative, that the team had ruled out an Achilles injury, and that Reaves would have imaging once the Lakers got back to Los Angeles on Thursday. No result was announced on Thursday.

On Friday, Redick said that step was skipped. Asked for more detail on the injury, he said, “He has a bruise on his heel.” Asked about the decision not to image it, he said, “We as a group collectively decided it wasn’t necessary.”

Reaves had 18 points, five assists and three steals in 25 minutes before he left in Milwaukee. Four days earlier he scored a season-high 43 in Detroit, a game Dončić missed with low back tightness. The Lakers have won seven straight and are 11-2.

Sexton day-to-day, Grimes back in live work

Collin Sexton is also day-to-day. He left Wednesday’s game early and needed stitches near his temple. “Collin, I think he’s probably in that same boat,” Redick said. Quentin Grimes, who hurt his finger in Detroit on Nov. 8 and did not play in Milwaukee, took part in the live portion of the team’s stay-ready game on Friday.

‘Unacceptable’ in fourth quarters

Redick also took aim at the end of games. Jovan Buha reported that Redick called it “unacceptable” that the Lakers’ third unit has not been able to run the offense well in fourth quarters, and that he said the coaching staff can do better at stressing the team’s offensive principles and keeping that group organized.

JJ Redick said that it’s “unacceptable” that the Lakers’ third string hasn’t been able to run the offense effectively in fourth quarters. Redick also said the coaching staff can be better with continuing to emphasize their offensive principles and keeping them organized.
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) November 13, 2026

Jovan Buha on Redick’s comments about the Lakers’ fourth quarters. Post: Jovan Buha on X.

Milwaukee is the latest example. The Lakers led 114-90 with 4:25 left on Wednesday, and with both benches in, the Bucks closed the game on a 20-7 run to make the final 123-112. On Nov. 8 in Detroit, a 26-point lead shrank to a single possession before the Lakers held on for a 121-116 win.

What’s next

The Lakers visit the 5-6 Phoenix Suns on Sunday, Nov. 15, at 4 p.m. ET, which is 11 p.m. in Cairo. Phoenix has won four of its last five, including a 101-96 win over Charlotte on Thursday behind Devin Booker’s 30 points. Our injuries page will have the Lakers’ official report on Reaves, Sexton and Grimes.