The Dallas Mavericks are disputing allegations from Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick that their medical personnel conducted an MRI scan on an incorrect area of Austin Reaves’ body, which supposedly resulted in requiring a second scan and delaying the proper diagnosis of his oblique injury.
Reaves, who ranks as the Lakers’ second-highest scorer with an average of 23.3 points per game, underwent the MRI examination with Dallas medical staff during the weekend following his Grade 2 left oblique strain suffered during Los Angeles’ loss to Oklahoma City on April 2.
“Our medical team followed standard imaging protocols based on the information provided at the time,” the Mavericks stated in an official response distributed to various media outlets. “There was no error in the scan performed.”
Los Angeles announced Saturday that Reaves would be absent for at least the remaining regular season games. According to ESPN reports, he faces a four-to-six week recovery period.
“I don’t know where the chain of command lies with Dallas imaging, but they scanned the wrong area,” Redick stated following team practice in Dallas on Saturday. “So (the mistake was) not on our end. We made it explicit what was supposed to be scanned, but they scanned the wrong area.”
The Lakers (50-28) are simultaneously dealing with the absence of top league scorer Luka Doncic (33.5 ppg) for the regular season’s conclusion due to a Grade 2 hamstring injury, while third-leading scorer and 22-time All-Star LeBron James (20.8 ppg) was ruled out for Tuesday’s matchup against Oklahoma City due to ongoing management of his persistent left foot problem.
