In a thrilling contest where the Los Angeles Lakers were without star LeBron James, Austin Reaves delivered a performance for the ages, culminating in a dramatic game-winning shot to defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves 116-115. Reaves took complete control of the offense, scoring 28 points, dishing out a career-high-tying 16 assists, and drilling a floater over two defenders at the buzzer to seal the victory. It was a night that not only ended with a win but also placed Reaves in the company of some of the most iconic names in franchise history.
Los Angeles Lakers Austin Reaves: A Historic Achievement
Reaves’ incredible night was more than just a highlight-reel finish. His statistical output put him in truly elite territory. He became the only Laker besides Hall of Famers Magic Johnson and Jerry West to record at least 170 points and 50 assists over a five-game span. Furthermore, he is the first player in the franchise’s storied history to begin a season averaging over 30 points and 10 assists through the first five games. This recent stretch, where he’s averaging 34.2 points and 10 assists, has turned heads around the league and solidified his status as a cornerstone for the Lakers.
The game-winning play itself drew high praise from analysts, including seven-time NBA champion Robert Horry. On the Spectrum SportsNet broadcast, Horry, a player known for his own clutch moments, broke down the skill involved in Reaves’ floater. “That’s his go-to move,” Horry noted. “His floater is just that potent that he can shoot it off either leg, and that takes some talent.”
Humility in the Spotlight
Despite the monumental achievement and the heroic finish, Reaves remained grounded and humble in his post-game interview. When informed by ESPN’s Jorge Sedano that he had joined Johnson and West in the record books, Reaves smiled but quickly deflected the praise. “I’m still not gonna talk about myself,” he said. “I love to play the game of basketball, but I wouldn’t be able to do any of it without our coaching staff and my teammates.”
He even found a moment for some lighthearted humor, joking about what his absent teammates might say. “They’ll probably tell me I suck, because I missed like 14 shots,” he laughed. Instead of basking in his own glory, Reaves made sure to praise his teammate Jake LaRavia, who scored 27 points on 10-of-11 shooting. “We can talk about how big Jake was tonight,” Reaves insisted. “Guys stepping up after people going down, it’s big.” This team-first mentality, combined with his clutch play, continues to define the once-undrafted guard’s remarkable journey.
