It is laborious to imagine now contemplating how far he is come, however Austin Reaves was once a benchwarmer who acquired little-to-no minutes for the Los Angeles Lakers. Furthermore, Reaves even began the 2024-25 season on the bench — with head coach JJ Redick inexplicably utilizing him because the crew’s sixth man behind D’Angelo Russell. However these days are lengthy gone, as Reaves has now established himself as a reputable star, as he carried the Luka Doncic and LeBron James-less Lakers to a 127-120 win over the Sacramento Kings on Friday night time with a 51-point masterpiece.
Reaves was in command of the Lakers offense all night time lengthy, as along with dropping a career-high in factors in a single sport, he additionally shot the ball exceptionally effectively, going 12-22 from the sphere and 6-10 from deep regardless of drawing the entire Kings’ defensive consideration. He even added 11 rebounds and 9 assists for good measure — ensuring that the Purple and Gold is in good arms despite the fact that their important stars are usually not wholesome fairly but.
Reaves put himself in unique firm after his thorough demolition of the Kings, and he acquired a serious seal of approval from Lakers legend and Corridor of Famer James Worthy within the course of.
“#WorthyClap 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾,” the Lakers legend wrote on his official account on X (previously Twitter) as a response to Reaves’ 51-point night time.
Simply to place in larger perspective how spectacular this efficiency is, Reaves turned simply the fifth participant because the flip of the century to attain no less than 50 factors in a single sport for the Lakers. All 4 of the gamers that completed this feat are both within the Corridor of Fame or will certainly be as soon as they retire: Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis.
Contemplating how reliant the Lakers are on their stars, the absences of each Doncic and James would have been catastrophic if it weren’t for Reaves.
Austin Reaves, Lakers look to maintain it going tomorrow night time
There’s going to be no relaxation for these weary (and shorthanded) Lakers as they are going to be going through the Portland Path Blazers tomorrow night time on the second of a back-to-back set. The excellent news is that the Blazers did play as effectively on Sunday (a 114-107 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers), so there is not going to be a lot in the way in which of a relaxation benefit for both of those groups.
Alas, this Blazers squad goes to be a ache to face, particularly on the second of a back-to-back. Reaves, specifically, should face elite defenders corresponding to Jrue Vacation and Toumani Camara; can he hold this sizzling streak going? For the Lakers’ sake, he’ll need to.