Austin Reaves etches name in history books alongside LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and other Laker legends
Austin Reaves put up a standout performance against the Indiana Pacers on Saturday, etching his name alongside some of the greatest Lakers.
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Austin Reaves shines in Lakers victory
Austin Reaves delivered a performance for the ages on Saturday night, joining an exclusive club of Los Angeles Lakers greats. The Lakers took on the Indiana Pacers in a game that was expected to be their latest acquisition, Luka Doncic’s debut. However, as both Doncic and LeBron James sat out at the last minute, Reaves decided to handle things on his own, creating history in the process.
In the game, Austin Reaves put up a career-best 45 points while adding 7 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals, leading the Lakers to a 117-124 win. The only other players to achieve this feat? Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James. Reaves becomes just the seventh Laker of all time to achieve those numbers.
The list of Lakers to have 45-7-7:
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) February 9, 2025
Elgin Baylor
Jerry West
Magic Johnson
Kobe Bryant
LeBron James
Austin Reaves
His 45-point outburst also made him the first Laker in the last 20 years, outside of Bryant, James, and Anthony Davis, to reach that scoring milestone. Coming into the league as an undrafted free agent, these are unexpected numbers from a player who wasn’t even expected to make it to a stable player in the league.
With LeBron James scratched at the last minute due to knee soreness, Austin Reaves stepped up as the number one scoring option against an opposition like the Pacers, who have been on a roll of late. The Lakers needed a leader on the floor, and Reaves embraced the responsibility.
It was his third 30-point game of the season, and he has been a consistent weapon on offense for the Lakers, averaging 18.5 points, 6.1 assists, and 4.3 rebounds on solid shooting splits before this breakout performance.
Austin Reaves sets role expectations ahead of Luka Doncic’s debut
Luka Doncic’s arrival in Los Angeles has been the highlight of the last few weeks in one of the most shocking trades in NBA history. But it does prompt questions about how he will fit alongside LeBron James and Austin Reaves. With the departure of Anthony Davis, the Lakers’ offensive dynamic will shift, and Reaves addressed how he sees himself fitting into the new lineup.
I think at the end of the day, those guys do score a lot of points… but it’s not like those two guys are unwilling passers. I believe, I know, that both of those guys have a very high IQ for basketball.
Reaves said per Lakers Nation
Doncic and James both thrive as primary ball handlers, orchestrating the offense with their elite playmaking skills. However, since the start of this season, James had transitioned many of his ball-handling and initiation duties to Reaves, who more than surpassed expectations in big moments. With Donic and James on the floor, Reaves will have to fluctuate between the second or third creator on the floor most of the time.
Fortunately, his ability to operate as a playmaker, space the floor, and make timely plays down the stretch will be critical for the Lakers’ success. So far this season, Austin Reaves has seen an uptick in his three-point attempts, shooting them at a solid 36.4%. With Luka Doncic and LeBron James on the floor, the Reaves off-ball role will be crucial.
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Armaan Gupta
(419 Articles Published)