Los Angeles Lakers' second-leading scorer, Austin Reaves, has been out for nearly four weeks due to a strained oblique muscle and is hopeful about returning to the team for the crucial Game 5 of the first-round playoff series against Houston. Despite being listed as questionable for the past two games of the series, Reaves did not play in those games. This comes as Los Angeles takes a 3-1 series lead over Houston. This is Reaves' first major injury absence of his otherwise outstanding season, which he averaged 23.3 points, 5.5 assists, and 4.7 rebounds, but played in just 51 games due to the injury and a strained left calf. Reaves expressed cautious optimism when he spoke to reporters for the first time since April 2.