WATCH: LeBron James and Anthony Davis go BERSERK as Austin Reaves pulls off insane behind-the-back move

Austin Reaves and the Lakers won the inaugural season of the NBA In-Season Tournament, scoring 28 points off the bench.

WATCH: LeBron James and Anthony Davis go BERSERK as Austin Reaves pulls off insane behind-the-back move

(L) LeBron James and Anthony Davis dancing; (R) Austin Reaves (Via screengrab/X)

In a triumphant return to the winning column, Austin Reaves and the Los Angeles Lakers secured a decisive 133-112 victory against the Charlotte Hornets at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The Lakers, recovering from a disappointing 126-115 loss to the Boston Celtics on Christmas Day, handed the Hornets their ninth consecutive defeat.

In a noteworthy performance off the bench, Reaves had a commendable night, tallying 16 points, two rebounds, and four assists. Displaying proficiency, he shot 6/8 from the field and 2/3 from beyond the arc, underscoring his skills in just 24 minutes.

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In the 11th minute of the fourth quarter, with the Lakers leading 104-80, Austin Reaves showcased remarkable skill. Receiving a pass from teammate D’Angelo Russell, he executed a dazzling move by passing the ball behind his back, skillfully waving away the defender, and effortlessly making a layup for two points. The sequence was so thrilling that teammates Anthony Davis and LeBron James were captured on camera, reacting ecstatically to the brilliant play, reaching cloud nine in their excitement.

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Opting to join the Lakers as an undrafted free agent in the 2021 NBA draft, Reaves decisively turned down the 42nd overall selection by the Detroit Pistons. Instead, he strategically chose a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. His consistently productive contributions off the bench position him as a strong contender for this year’s NBA Sixth Man of the Season award. Moreover, he currently maintains an average of 15.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game this season.

Lakers bounce back to trash struggling Hornets

Bouncing back from their Christmas Day loss against the Boston Celtics, the Lakers secured a victory at home against the Charlotte Hornets. Although things didn’t unfold exactly as planned initially, with the Hornets leading 31-28 in the first quarter, the Lakers regrouped. In the opening quarter, the Hornets managed to make 11 out of 20 field goals (55%), while the Lakers connected on 11 out of 27 attempts (40.7%).

Austin Reaves is now a big part of the Lakers lineup and gets James' stamp of approval as their game closer
Austin Reaves and LeBron James (via Open Source/X)

Shifting dynamics emerged from the second quarter as the Lakers showcased improvement, securing a 30-26 victory with a notable increase in field goals made percentage at 52.2%, surpassing the Hornets’ 36% on 9 out of 25 attempts. The Lakers maintained their momentum, dominating the third quarter with a commanding 41-23 lead, and continued their success in the fourth and final quarter, securing a 34-32 win.

Davis emerged as the standout player of the game, contributing 26 points, eight rebounds, and two assists. Meanwhile, Miles Bridges led the scoring for the Hornets with 20 points, accompanied by five rebounds and assists.

Presently occupying the 8th position on the Western Conference standings, the Lakers hold a record of 17-15. Their upcoming challenge involves a journey to the Target Center in Minneapolis, where they are set to face the Minnesota Timberwolves.

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