Anthony Davis left impressed with Austin Reaves’ adaptability after D’Angelo Russell trade
Anthony Davis revealed his admiration for Austin Reaves play after he dropped a near triple-double in the Lakers loss to the Cavs.
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Anthony Davis dishes on Austin Reaves standout performance following D'Angelo Russell trade.
Heading into last night’s clash between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Los Angeles Lakers, expectations were high. Fans eagerly awaited LeBron James’ performance in his first game after celebrating his 40th birthday and a glimpse of the Lakers’ new acquisitions, Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton. Yet, it was Austin Reaves who stole the spotlight, stepping up after the departure of D’Angelo Russell.
Despite a 122-110 loss to the Cavaliers, who continue to dominate the league with their NBA-best 29-4 record, the Lakers had plenty to celebrate in Reaves’ breakout performance. Taking on primary ball-handling duties, Austin Reaves nearly achieved a triple-double, finishing with 35 points, 9 rebounds, and 10 assists. Even MVP candidate Anthony Davis couldn’t help but marvel at his teammate’s display.
“What’d he have, 36 tonight? 35? I mean, sh*t, he looked good to me. He’s a hooper!”
– Anthony Davis on Austin Reaves
Anthony Davis when asked for his first impression of Austin Reaves' usage increasing after LAL traded D'Angelo Russell to BKN: "What’d he have, 36 tonight? 35? I mean, s—, he looked good to me. He's a hooper."
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 1, 2025
Reaves’ performance displayed his readiness to step into the void left by Russell’s departure. While concerns lingered among Lakers fans about LeBron James being overburdened without Russell’s playmaking support, Reaves proved capable of shouldering the responsibility. His ability to control the game, create opportunities for his teammates, and consistently find his shot was on full display.
Although D’Angelo Russell had been primarily coming off the bench since November, he had been splitting playmaking duties with Austin Reaves and James, leaving a palpable void after the Lakers traded him. Reaves’ performance against Cleveland, however, was a resounding answer to any questions about the Lakers guard’s dominance.
Lakers HC JJ Redick heaps praise on Austin Reaves
Lakers head coach JJ Redick is among those who believe Austin Reaves’ adaptability and skill set are central to the team’s success this season. Following Reaves’ career-high 16 assists outing against the Kings earlier this week, Redick highlighted Reaves’ ability to create opportunities in the half-court offense, describing him as a vital cog in the Lakers’ system.
“The wiggle, the ability to touch the paint in the half court, the ability to get two on the ball, that’s huge for us. When we’re stagnant and slow, we can’t get two on the ball, we have a harder time touching the paint and we end up with a bad shot profile and end up in a lot of butter situations. That’s just not how we want to play offense.”
JJ Redick on Austin Reaves post-game
Redick’s praise is paramount to understanding Austin Reaves’ importance to the Lakers’ offensive identity. His ability to break down defenses and keep the ball moving has been a game-changer for the team, particularly in moments when their offense risks becoming stagnant.
With season averages of 18.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game this season, Reaves has seamlessly transitioned into his role as the team’s primary facilitator. The Lakers’ path to the postseason, especially championship contention, which James is unsure of, will rely heavily on Reaves’ continued development, especially as the team manages veteran stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
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Armaan Gupta
(419 Articles Published)