The Los Angeles Lakers are playing without All-Stars LeBron James and Luka Doncic. After his buzzer-beater sank the Minnesota Timberwolves Wednesday night, Austin Reaves is looking like an All-Star himself.
Reaves dropped in a floater as time expired Wednesday to continue a red-hot stretch without his superstar teammates. Sunday, Reaves scored a career-high 51 points to beat the Sacramento Kings. In a loss to the Portland Trail Blazers Monday, Reaves scored 41. Wednesday he finished with 28 points and a career-high 16 assists.
Austin Reaves has improved every season
Reaves is averaging 34.2 PPG and 10 assists this season, taking over the scoring load while also distributing the ball. Doncic averaged 46 points in his two games, while Deandre Ayton has chipped in a solid 16 PPG. But it’s Reaves initiating the offense and taking shots in big moments.
While his shot was off Wednesday, going 9-for-24, there was no doubt Reaves was taking the last shot after Julius Randle gave Minnesota a one-point lead. Even with Jake LaRavia stepping up with 27 points on 10-for-11 shooting, Reaves is clearly the Lakers’ go-to guy.
