Pacific Updates: Reaves, Timme, Wiggins Shine; Warriors Eye Ellis

Austin Reaves, the Lakers’ guard, is making strides in his recovery from a Grade 2 left gastrocnemius strain. Head coach JJ Redick confirmed that Reaves is on track to return during the team’s current road trip. This eight-game trip commenced in Denver on Tuesday and will wrap up on February 3 in Brooklyn.

Reaves was injured during a loss to the Houston Rockets on Christmas Day. Before the injury, he was enjoying a standout fifth season, averaging 26.6 points, 6.3 assists, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game over 23 appearances. His shooting was impressive, hitting .502 from the field, .365 from three-point range, and .873 from the free-throw line.

Pacific Division Highlights: Timme Impresses

Drew Timme, who holds a two-way contract with the Lakers, stepped up significantly during recent games. With Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes sidelined, Timme scored a career-high 21 points on 9-of-12 shooting against Saturday. Redick mentioned that if Timme continues his performance, he will remain in the rotation.

The 25-year-old, who went undrafted in 2023, finally signed his first NBA contract on March 28, 2025. He embraced the challenges he faced, stating, “I’m a good player. I believe in myself and my abilities.” His determination to affect the game positively is apparent.

Wiggins Returns to Warriors

Andrew Wiggins made his return to the Chase Center as a member of the Miami Heat. This marked his first visit to Golden State after being traded as part of the deal for Jimmy Butler last February. Fans and the organization celebrated his contributions with a video tribute.

Wiggins played an instrumental role in the Warriors’ 2022 NBA Championship victory. Head coach Steve Kerr expressed his fondness for Wiggins, highlighting the strong ties formed over their time together. “It’s sad when you have to navigate these kinds of changes,” Kerr remarked about the complexities of player trades in the NBA.

Trade Rumors Surround Kings’ Ellis

Keon Ellis of the Sacramento Kings faced speculation regarding potential trades this season. He was recently cleared to play against Miami after recovering from a sore knee, which caused him to miss two games. Ellis will become an unrestricted free agent this offseason if he does not secure a contract extension beforehand.

• Austin Reaves: Recovering from injury, track for return during road trip.
• Drew Timme: Career-high 21 points, likely to remain in rotation.
• Andrew Wiggins: Honored during return to Chase Center; traded to Miami last February.
• Keon Ellis: Trade rumors abound; available to play after injury.

These developments within the NBA’s Pacific Division highlight the ongoing dynamics and personal stories of the players involved. Fans are eager to see how these situations play out in the coming weeks.