BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - FEBRUARY 01: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball during the second quarter of a game against the Boston Celtics at the TD Garden on February 01, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)
Austin Reaves is making a name for himself with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Last week – with stars LeBron James and Luka Doncic sidelined with injuries – the 27-year-old took the spotlight, scoring 120 points in three games. Against the Sacramento Kings on Sunday, Reaves recorded a career-high 51 points in a 127-120 win. A day later, the guard netted 41 points against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Then came Wednesday, when Reaves notched 16 assists and scored a buzzer-beater to rescue a 116-115 win against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Reaves finished the game with 28 points, continuing his streak of five consecutive games with 25 or more points.
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With James and Doncic out, Reaves’ leadership is being put to the test – and he’s been delivering.
“Everyone’s looking at me,” Reaves said after the game. “In those situations, you have to be calm, be confident and lead your guys through.
“It’s not hard to kind of crumble in those situations, but you got to keep the energy high and you got to keep the spirit high.”
The Lakers looked on course for a comfortable win after leading by 16 points at the start of the fourth quarter. However, the Timberwolves roared back in a late rally, eventually taking the lead with 10 seconds remaining after a layup from Julius Randle.
With the game on the line, Reaves danced his way around two Minnesota players and fired home a jump shot at the buzzer.
“This guy is going to show up in the big moments,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said in his postgame press conference. “I’m not surprised. He’s done that many times in his career. He’s done that many times since I’ve been his coach. I feel very comfortable with him making decisions at late game.”
Redick praised his team after Wednesday’s victory, which keeps the Purple and Gold undefeated on the road so far despite the key injuries.
“I’m so proud of this group right now,” he said. “From where we were like three weeks ago, where we were discombobulated and guys are missing training camp and guys are modified participants, we’re starting to come together.”
Reaves and Redick will look to secure another road win as the Lakers open their NBA Cup campaign against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night.
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