Austin Reaves was coming off a 51-point outing in a formidable 127-120 win for the Los Angeles Lakers over the Sacramento Kings. However he and the Lakers didn’t have a lot time to have a good time that unimaginable, career-best outing. The Lakers needed to lock in lower than 24 hours later, as they needed to face the Portland Path Blazers on Monday evening.
That recreation towards the Blazers did go as swimmingly for the Lakers; they ended up struggling a 122-108 defeat, as their shorthanded roster couldn’t sustain with a way more youthful and deeper Blazers squad. This LA crew, as one ought to bear in mind, was with out Luka Doncic and LeBron James. They had been additionally with out Gabe Vincent, who’s set to overlook two to 4 weeks with an ankle damage. Simply to make issues worse, Marcus Good and Jaxson Hayes had been additionally out.
Reaves admitted that it was not enjoyable in any respect to go up towards the Blazers and to endure a loss.
“Final evening was enjoyable. Did not sleep a lot. That was way more enjoyable as a result of we received. [Tonight], it’s not as enjoyable if you don’t win,” Reaves instructed reporters following their loss to the Blazers, by way of Dave McMenamin of ESPN.
“Final evening was enjoyable … [Tonight] it’s not as enjoyable if you don’t win.” Austin Reaves on the whirlwind expertise of scoring 92 factors in 48 hours in two video games in two cities. pic.twitter.com/L9aKuOf21l
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 28, 2025
Reaves, for his half, adopted up his unimaginable 51-point outing towards the Kings with one other strong outing, placing up 41 factors on 13-22 taking pictures from the sector towards a Blazers crew that hangs its hat on the defensive finish of the ground.
The Lakers guard was being hounded by the likes of Toumani Camara and Jrue Vacation all evening lengthy, and but he nonetheless managed to hold the Purple and Gold’s offense to a good degree.
This Lakers crew, nonetheless, has to get wholesome very quickly, as they’re liable to burning Reaves out this early within the season if this retains up.
Blazers clamp down on the Lakers
The Blazers definitely realized from the Kings’ mistake; they didn’t enable the Lakers to easily convey the ball up unimpeded and get into their offensive units with out a lot resistance.
Portland was placing on the strain from the backcourt all evening lengthy, and it resulted in a number of silly turnovers from the Lakers. They wanted ballhandling so badly, and so they could not depend on Nick Smith Jr. or Bronny James to offer some playmaking reduction.
The Lakers, nonetheless, should survive no less than one other 5 to 6 days of not having one other main ballhandler to share the load with Reaves.