JJ Redick Exposes Dallas Medical Staff for Messing Up MRI of Austin Reaves

The Los Angeles Lakers suffered another blow after Austin Reaves was ruled out for the remainder of the regular season.

JJ Redick Exposes Dallas Medical Staff for Messing Up MRI of Austin Reaves

JJ Redick was caught schooling the referee (Image credits - Firstsportz)

In Short
  • JJ Redick criticized Dallas medical staff for conducting an MRI on Austin Reaves in the wrong area.
  • Reaves and Luka Doncic are expected to miss four to six weeks due to injuries, raising concerns for the Lakers.
  • The Lakers aim to secure the third seed in the Western Conference as they prepare for the playoffs without their top scorers.

It all seemed to be going very well for JJ Redick and the Los Angeles Lakers since the beginning of March. After suffering from some inconsistency with their form since the turn of the year, the Lakers appeared to have finally found their winning formula heading into the postseason. But they are in a spot of bother at the moment after Austin Reaves‘ recent injury.

Lakers head coach, Redick, said a second MRI scan had to be performed on Reaves because the first scan in Dallas was done on the wrong area.

The second [MRI] was today. Again, I don’t know where the chain of command lies with Dallas imaging, but uh they scanned the wrong area. Not on our end. We made it explicit what was supposed to be scanned but they scanned the wrong area.

JJ Redick in his media scrum

JJ Redick has done a fine job since joining the Lakers. A few days ago, he became the third head coach after Phil Jackson and Pat Riley to win 50 games in two consecutive seasons with the purple and gold. Things have been much more promising over the last few weeks, with the Lakers flying and the roster looking fit and healthy as the playoffs approach.  

On April 2, they suffered some setbacks when they took on the defending champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder. They suffered their biggest loss of the season as they were blown out 139-96. However, their two major setbacks came in the form of injuries to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.

The Slovenian, who has been playing at an MVP level this season, pulled his hamstring during the third quarter. Doncic is estimated to be ruled out for four to six weeks. Meanwhile, Reaves has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 left oblique muscle injury and is expected to miss four to six weeks as well.

The injuries to the Lakers’ two top scorers are a major concern for Redick and his coaching staff. With less than two weeks to go for the playoffs, both Doncic and Reaves are expected to be sidelined for the beginning of the playoffs.

JJ Redick wants the third seed in the West

Just when things looked promising for the Lakers, it all came crashing down after one game. With the top two seeds out of reach for JJ Redick and his men, the Lakers will be hoping to seal the third spot in the West.

Luka Doncic and JJ Redick have been close for 10 years
Luka Doncic and JJ Redick (Image via LADEig/X)

Following injuries to his two star players, Redick spoke about what lies ahead for the Lakers.

From a strategic, tactical standpoint, we obviously are gonna have to play a little bit differently. There’s enough that we have in that we can play through LeBron, play through Rui, play through DA. And then we’ll just wait and see until Austin and Smart are back, But our mission hasn’t changed: we want to go get the 3-seed and we want to win a first-round series.

JJ Redick on the Lakers heading forward

The fourth-seeded Denver Nuggets are right behind the Lakers. After their win over the San Antonio Spurs, they extended their winning streak to eight games, and they are now just 0.5 games behind the Lakers.

LeBron James is expected to head the Lakers into the playoffs

With Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves ruled out for the remainder of the regular season and the beginning of the playoffs, the Lakers are going to have to do without their two primary scorers. Doncic leads the league in scoring and is currently averaging 33.5 points, while Reaves is averaging 23.3 points per game this season.

Based on the current Western Conference standings, the Lakers will have to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round. Last season, the Wolves took out the Lakers in just five games; hence, it is going to be anything but easy.

While the Lakers have LeBron James within their ranks, he is not the same player he once was. At 41, it is unfair to expect the four-time champion to carry the team on both ends of the floor. The Lakers will be hoping that James will be able to steady the ship and hold on to the third seed till their two stars are back on court.

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