LOS ANGELES (AP) — Austin Reaves could miss at least a month with a strained left calf, a damaging blow for the struggling Los Angeles Lakers.
The Lakers said Friday that Reaves had been diagnosed with a grade 2 left gastrocnemius strain. He will be evaluated again in approximately four weeks.
Reaves didn't play in the second half of the Lakers' 119-96 loss to Houston on Thursday. He had 12 points before leaving what became Los Angeles' third straight defeat.
That was Reaves' second game back after he had missed three in a row, also with a strained left calf. He is second on the Lakers behind Luka Doncic with 26.6 points per game.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves drives between Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, center Mark Williams (15), and forward Royce O'Neale (00) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves shields the ball from Phoenix Suns guard Jordan Goodwin (23) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — England fought back to claim six wickets as Australia staggered to 98-6 in its second innings at lunch on Day 2 of the fourth Ashes test on Saturday.
Australia holds an overall lead of 140 after running through England for 110 in a dramatic first day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. A total of 26 wickets have fallen in four sessions.
England lost each of the first three tests to allow Australia to retain the Ashes in just 11 days of on-field action.
Josh Tongue claimed a career-best 5-45 to lead England’s bowling attack Friday before Michael Neser grabbed 4-45 for Australia.
England greats Michael Vaughan and Stuart Broad and former Australia stars Brett Lee and Mark Waugh said the pitch was offering “too much” sideways movement for the quick bowlers. Vaughan said the first-day pitch was a “shocker.”
Resuming Saturday on 4-0 after sending in tailender Scott Boland to partner regular opener Travis Head for one nervous over late Friday, Australia lost two wickets in the first hour of play.
Boland (6) was caught behind off the bowling of Gus Atkinson at 22-1 and Ben Stokes broke through in his first over as Jake Weatherald (5) was bowled offering no shot with the total on 40.
Atkinson left the field with what appeared to be a leg injury but England’s pace attack continued to pile pressure on Australia.
Stokes struck Marnus Labuschagne a painful blow on the right hand in his second over, and Head was dropped on 26 at point next over off first-innings hero Tongue’s bowling.
Playing from the crease, Labuschagne (8) fell caught at slip off Tongue (2-29) at 61-3. Brydon Carse (2-21) punched a hole through the defenses of Head (46) at 82-4 as Australia lost wickets in three consecutive overs.
Usman Khawaja departed for a duck next over, caught at fine leg off Tongue’s bowling, and Alex Carey (4) was caught at second slip as Carse claimed his second wicket of the innings.
With Steve Smith, on 16, and Cameron Green, unbeaten on 6, at the crease and tailenders to come, Australia will be aiming to set a target of at least 200 on a pitch that is offering substantial sideways movement.
AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket
Fans of the England cricket team, known as the Barmy Army, wave flags on Day 2 of the Ashes cricket test match between Australia and England in Melbourne, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Hamish Blair)
Australia's Jake Weatherald his bowled by England's Ben Stokes on Day 2 of their Ashes cricket test match in Melbourne, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Hamish Blair)
England's Josh Tongue, second left, celebrates with teammates after the wicket of Australia Usman Khawaja on Day 2 of their Ashes cricket test match in Melbourne, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Hamish Blair)
Australia's Travis Head walks off after he is bowled by England's Brydon Carse on Day 2 of their Ashes cricket test match in Melbourne, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Hamish Blair)
England's Josh Tongue, right, celebrates with teammate Jacob Bethell after the wicket of Australia Usman Khawaja on Day 2 of their Ashes cricket test match in Melbourne, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Hamish Blair)
