Austin Reaves Out with Left Oblique Strain

Austin Reaves has been ruled out with a left oblique (torso) strain — a core muscle injury that restricts the rotational mechanics central to shooting, driving, and defensive positioning. For a high-usage guard like Reaves, oblique function is not peripheral; it's load-bearing for nearly every skill he brings to the floor.

CLASSIFICATION: MYO / Grade 2 (INFERRED) / SP — Left oblique strain. Grade is INFERRED from the "Out" designation and the fact that oblique strains significant enough to rule out an NBA player typically reflect partial myotendinous disruption rather than a minor Grade 1 event. No imaging confirmation has been reported publicly.

EVIDENCE TIER: T2 — Moderate Confidence. Published RTP data on oblique strains in NBA players is observational but reasonably consistent with broader MYO/SP literature.

CONFIDENCE NOTE: Grade 2 inferred from team designation language — not confirmed by imaging or clinical examination. If imaging reveals a more significant tear, the timeline extends accordingly.