Luka Doncic’s Half-Court Shot Streak Distracts Austin Reaves During Lakers’ Presser

Austin Reaves broke off mid-answer during a media session to react to Luka Doncic, who was knocking down half-court shots.

Luka Doncic’s Half-Court Shot Streak Distracts Austin Reaves During Lakers’ Presser

Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves (Image credits - Bleacher Report)

Few players in the NBA are better than Luka Doncic on the offensive end of the floor. Doncic has been one of the league’s best scorers since his second year and has won the scoring title in two of the last three seasons.

With LeBron James leaving the Los Angeles Lakers after the 2025-26 campaign ended, Doncic was handed the keys to the kingdom. He missed the entire playoffs last season but is looking healthier and sharper than ever heading into the new one.

During the first couple of months of last year’s regular season, Doncic formed a strong relationship with Austin Reaves on and off the court. Reaves was a revelation for the Lakers and built a formidable backcourt partnership with Doncic when James was injured last season.

They have a brotherly rapport and love teasing each other. With Doncic as the undisputed franchise superstar, the Lakers front office has built their roster around him in the summer.

In fact, Doncic was determined to keep Reaves in the Lakers after his contract expired in the summer. When the Lakers were linked to Giannis Antetokounmpo, Doncic made it clear that he wanted Reaves to stay. The Lakers obliged and rewarded the former undrafted star with a four-year, $185 million contract.

While speaking to reporters after his practice session, Reaves was asked what he has learned from playing alongside Walker Kessler. As he began to praise his new teammate, he lost his train of thought while watching Doncic make multiple half-court shots.

Luka just made five half-court shots in the last 30 seconds. This is ridiculous. And he just made another one. I hate him.

Austin Reaves in his media scrum

Doncic is coming off another impressive campaign. Unfortunately, he couldn’t help his team during the playoffs because he suffered a hamstring injury. It looks like he is ready to put his injury troubles behind him as he gears up for the 2026-27 campaign.

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Lakers’ offense will be different with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves leading the way

When LeBron James missed the first 14 games of the regular season last year, Doncic and Austin Reaves were arguably the best backcourt duo in the league. Both players were posting incredible numbers and were even in the top 10 in the MVP ladder until James returned and Reaves suffered an injury.

Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves
Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves (Image credits – Bleacher Report)

Many questions remain about how the Lakers will play after James’s departure. However, Reaves believes that they will be able to play a lot more free-flowing basketball in the coming season.

We’ll do different things we weren’t capable of doing last year. We’ll be able to play more free flowing basketball. It’s not gonna have to be pick and roll every single possession. But at the end of the day, the ball’s going to get back to Luka or myself, and we just got to make plays from there.

Austin Reaves in his press conference

The Lakers are coming off a number of roster changes, and with James gone, their offense is expected to look very different next season. While many expect the Lakers to not be strong contenders heading into the new season, Doncic and Reaves will be looking to silence their critics.

JJ Redick expects to stagger Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves’ minutes this season

The Lakers have made several departures and acquisitions this summer. The roster has been completely revamped as Luka Doncic has made it clear that the goal is to win the championship next year.

The Slovenian guard was the scoring champion last season as he averaged 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 8.3 assists in 64 appearances. He finished fourth in the MVP race and will be looking to win his first MVP award next year.

After their first training session, head coach JJ Redick said he expects to stagger Doncic and Reaves’ minutes this year.

My expectation probably at this point because we’ve obviously done some work on some substitution patterns. My expectation is that those guys (Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves) will stagger and we’ll have one of those guys on the court. That’s generally what teams do and what we will do.

JJ Redick in his media scrum

Both Doncic and Reaves have a point to prove next season. Expectations are for the Slovenian to play at an MVP level, while Reaves develops into an All-Star. All eyes will be on the duo when their season gets underway against the Golden State Warriors on October 21.

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