Because the spotlights had been redirected to him, Austin Reaves made essentially the most out of his big-time alternative to guide the Los Angeles Lakers.
Whereas the bulk went disillusioned that Luka Doncic didn’t make his anticipated purple and gold debut this Saturday amid ESPN’s nationwide protection adjustment, Austin Reaves nonetheless handled Los Angeles Lakers followers with an enormous efficiency to guide the group’s 124-117 victory towards the Indiana Pacers.
With LeBron James additionally within the inactive record, Reaves noticed himself being at the focus of J.J. Redick’s offensive system. And he didn’t disappoint upon pulling a splendid efficiency, ending with a career-best 45 factors in 14-of-26 taking pictures with seven boards, seven assists, and three steals throughout 41 minutes.
Reaves was accountable in 14 of L.A.’s 30 markers within the remaining body, elevating the group’s ninth victory over their final 10 video games.
After demonstrating one of the best recreation so far of his inspiring undrafted story, Reaves additionally made a particular historical past of his personal as a proud member of the Lakers.
Together with his all-around play from scoring the ball, rebounding, playmaking, and dishing assists, the 26-year-old tallied a statistical line that hasn’t been seen by L.A. followers in 20 years because the nice Kobe Bryant.
As such, Reaves turns into the youngest Laker because the late franchise icon to register 40+ factors, 5+ rebounds, and 5+ assists in a single recreation.
In a 2005 common season recreation towards the Dallas Mavericks, the 26-year-old Bryant etched 40 factors, eight boards, and 6 assists to hold the group’s 108-103 dub.
Curiously, following Bryant’s footsteps isn’t simply the one feat that Reaves has achieved this weekend for the Lakers.
For his 45-point output, Reaves additionally positioned the second most factors recorded by an undrafted participant in NBA historical past, simply trailing the 54 factors of Fred VanVleet in 2021.
“This group got here shorthanded with no LeBron, Luka, and [Mark Williams]. … However we performed unbelievable first half. We may have carried out higher late there within the final 4, 5 minutes. However the group simply hold operating, taking pictures threes,” Reaves stated in postgame.
“We simply weathered the storm. … I didn’t even know if I used to be going to play right now to be trustworthy. However I’m pleased I could be out right here and assist the group.”
