Austin Reaves returns from calf injury to play for first time since Christmas as Lakers beat Nets

NEW YORK (AP) — Austin Reaves was bored. He would lift weights during the day, but all he could do during games was watch his Los Angeles Lakers from the bench.

“I think all I did for a month and a half was yell at the refs. So that’s no fun,” Reaves said. “It’s better to yell at them on the court.”

He finally got back on the floor Tuesday night for the first time since Christmas, helping the Lakers beat the Brooklyn Nets 125-109.

Reaves had missed the previous 19 games with a left calf strain. He came off the bench and scored 15 points in 21 minutes. The Lakers had the game well under control by the time he entered late in the first quarter, perhaps getting extra energy knowing that one of their best players was rejoining a team that has faced frequent absences.

“It was just a boost for all of us, especially at the end of a road trip, to get a guy like that back,” LeBron James said. “Obviously his rhythm is a little off but he still made an impact and just happy to have him back.”

Reaves was off to a terrific start to the season before he was sidelined. He missed three games with the injury in December, then was in just his second game back when he was hurt again against Houston on Dec. 25.

He came into Tuesday averaging 26.6 points, 6.3 assists and 5.2 rebounds, and coach JJ Redick said before the game the Lakers have missed the guard in every facet of the game.

“He's an All-Star-level player and of course you're going to miss him in a number of ways,” Redick said.

Reaves was listed as questionable to play Sunday against the Knicks and wanted to so he could play at Madison Square Garden, but just didn't feel ready. He said he woke up feeling better Tuesday and decided he would join the Lakers in the final game of their eight-game trip.

Redick said the Lakers have had their full complement of players only twice this season, and James said after the loss to the Knicks that Reaves' absence made it difficult to evaluate the team's potential.

“Unfortunately our All-Star 2-guard has been out for a minute and that’s a big piece of our team,” James said. “So it’s kind of hard to see what we can really, truly be.”

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Los Angeles Lakers' Austin Reaves (15) drives to the basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Brooklyn Nets Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James (23) reacts after dunking the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Brooklyn Nets Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Los Angeles Lakers' Austin Reaves (15) shoots over Brooklyn Nets' Nolan Traore (88) during the first half of an NBA basketball game =Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Los Angeles Lakers' Austin Reaves (15) looks to pass during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Brooklyn Nets Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick, right, talks to forward LeBron James during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/John Munson)

MILAN (AP) — Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso left his role by mutual consent on Friday, three days after the national team failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup.

The Italian soccer federation announced the news in a statement thanking Gattuso “for the dedication and passion” during his nine months in charge.

Italy’s chances of reaching this year’s tournament in North America ended on Tuesday after a penalty shootout loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina in a qualifying playoff.

“With pain in my heart, not having achieved the goal we had set ourselves, I consider my experience on the national team bench to be over,” Gattuso said.

Gattuso’s departure comes a day after Italy’s soccer federation president Gabriele Gravina resigned along with Gianluigi Buffon, who was the national team’s delegation chief.

The defeat to Bosnia added more misery for four-time champion Italy after being eliminated by Sweden and North Macedonia, respectively, in the qualifying playoffs for the last two World Cups.

Gattuso took over from the fired Luciano Spalletti in June with the squad already in crisis mode following a defeat at Norway in its opening qualifier.

Spalletti had also overseen a disappointing European Championship campaign in 2024, when titleholder Italy was knocked out in the round of 16 by Switzerland.

“I would like to thank Gattuso once again," Gravina said. "Because, in addition to being a special person, as a coach he has offered a valuable contribution, managing to bring enthusiasm back to the national team in just a few months.

“He has conveyed great pride in the national team jersey to the players and to the whole country.”

Under Gattuso, Italy went on a six-match winning streak before another loss to Norway in November to finish second in their group and end up in the playoffs again.

Gattuso had been given a contract until the end of this summer’s World Cup, with an automatic renewal until 2028 if Italy returned to soccer's biggest stage.

“The Azzurri shirt is the most precious asset that exists in soccer, which is why it is right to immediately facilitate future coaching staff decisions,” Gattuso said.

“It was an honor to be able to lead the national team and do so also with a group of boys who have shown commitment and attachment to the shirt. The biggest thanks go to the fans, to all the Italians who have never failed to show their love and support for the national team in recent months.”

Among those being mentioned to replace Gattuso are Roberto Mancini, Simone Inzaghi, Antonio Conte and Massimiliano Allegri.

Mancini coached Italy to the European Championship title in 2021 then failed to get the Azzurri to the next year’s World Cup before bolting to take over Saudi Arabia’s national team. He left that role in October 2024 and is currently coach at Al-Sadd in Qatar.

Inzaghi steered Inter Milan to the Serie A title in 2024 and now manages Saudi club Al-Hilal.

Conte coached Italy at the 2016 European Championship and is currently at Napoli.

Allegri is coach at AC Milan.

Italy will play two friendly matches in June but is unlikely to have a new coach by then, given that the election for a new FIGC president won't take place until June 22.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso greets Federico Dimarco during the World Cup qualifying playoff final soccer match between Bosnia and Italy in Zenica, Bosnia, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)

Italy's coach Gennaro Gattuso directs his team during the World Cup qualifying playoff final soccer match between Bosnia and Italy in Zenica, Bosnia, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (Fabio Ferrari/LaPresse via AP)

Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso gestures from the touchline during the World Cup qualifying playoff final soccer match between Bosnia and Italy in Zenica, Bosnia, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)

Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso gestures from the touchline during the World Cup qualifying playoff final soccer match between Bosnia and Italy in Zenica, Bosnia, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)

Italy's coach Gennaro Gattuso walks off the pitch after losing in a World Cup qualifying playoff final soccer match between Bosnia and Italy in Zenica, Bosnia, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (Fabio Ferrari/LaPresse via AP)