Austin Reaves Returns As Lakers Down Nets In Brooklyn

The Los Angeles Lakers wrapped up their challenging eight-game road trip with a convincing 125-109 victory over the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on Tuesday night, February 3, 2026. The win not only marked a strong finish to the trip for the Lakers, but also saw the much-anticipated return of guard Austin Reaves, who had been sidelined for five weeks with a strained left calf. His comeback injected fresh energy into a Lakers squad that had been searching for consistency in recent weeks.

Entering the contest, the Lakers held a 29-19 record and were positioned as 7.5-point favorites over the struggling Nets, who dropped to 13-36 after the loss. The betting lines reflected the teams’ contrasting fortunes, with Los Angeles a -305 favorite on the moneyline and the over/under for total points set at 221.5. The Lakers, sixth in the Western Conference, were eager to avoid the play-in tournament and looked to capitalize on a Brooklyn team that had lost 13 of its last 15 games and was rumored to be active at the trade deadline.

The spotlight was on Austin Reaves, who had missed nine games since suffering his injury on Christmas Day against the Houston Rockets. Reaves, who had been upgraded to questionable for the game after nearly returning against the New York Knicks, ultimately suited up and came off the bench. Despite being on a strict minutes restriction—capped at 21 minutes, well below his 35.3-minute season average—Reaves wasted no time making his presence felt. He finished with 15 points on 3-for-9 shooting, grabbed four rebounds, and recorded two steals. Most impressively, he went 8-for-10 from the free throw line, showing no signs of rust in attacking the rim and drawing contact.

“Sitting on the bench sucks. I think all I did for the month-and-a-half was yell at the refs. It’s no fun. It’s better to yell at them on the court. But it’s good to be back out there and run around, feel the energy and play the game I love,” Reaves said after the game, clearly relieved to be back in action. Head coach JJ Redick echoed the sentiment, stating before tipoff, “I think we’ve missed him in every facet. Both as an on-ball player, off-ball player, a connector, leadership on the court, competitive spirit—competitive spirit defensively. So, he’s an All-Star-level player, and of course, you’re going to miss him in a number of ways.”

Reaves’ return was especially timely for the Lakers, who had gone 10-9 without him since his injury. Before being sidelined, Reaves was enjoying a career season, averaging 26.6 points on 50.7% shooting, along with 6.3 assists, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game. His ability to create offense both on and off the ball had been sorely missed, and his impact was immediate as he checked in late in the first quarter and helped stabilize the Lakers’ second unit.

LeBron James, who led the Lakers with 25 points in the win over Brooklyn, was quick to praise his teammate’s return. “It was just a boost for all of us, especially at the end of a road trip, to get a guy like that back. Obviously his rhythm is a little off, but s---, he still made an impact and I’m just happy to have him back,” James remarked. The Lakers’ offense, which had struggled from deep in their previous game—a 112-100 loss to the Knicks—looked more cohesive with Reaves back in the fold, even as his minutes were managed carefully.

Luka Dončić, the league’s leading scorer at 33.6 points per game, continued his stellar play for Los Angeles, providing a steady offensive presence alongside James. Dončić’s recent form had been electric, particularly from beyond the arc, and he took advantage of a Nets defense that had regressed in recent weeks. Brooklyn, which had allowed opponents to shoot a league-worst 38.2% from three this season, struggled to contain the Lakers’ perimeter attack. Dončić, coming off a 30-point, 15-rebound, 8-assist performance against the Knicks, found his spots and kept the Nets’ defense on its heels.

On the other side, the Nets leaned heavily on Michael Porter Jr., who entered the game averaging 25.6 points per contest, ranking 12th in the NBA. Porter Jr. and Cam Thomas were expected to shoulder the scoring load, but Brooklyn’s offensive woes persisted. In their previous outing, the Nets suffered a historic 130-77 defeat to the Detroit Pistons, shooting just 32.9% from the field and 22.6% from deep. Against the Lakers, they again struggled to generate consistent offense, especially with the Lakers’ defense tightening up in key moments despite its season-long struggles.

Deandre Ayton’s role for the Lakers remained a point of discussion, as he did not close the previous game but was expected to benefit from Brooklyn’s weak rim protection. The Nets ranked dead last in opponent rim rate, and Ayton’s ability to finish lobs and control the paint was seen as a potential X-factor. Meanwhile, the Lakers’ own defensive issues—25th in defensive rating—were less exposed by a Nets team that averaged 107.1 points per game, significantly below the Lakers’ average points allowed (116.3).

Betting experts had predicted a high-scoring affair, with the Over hitting in 16 of the 24 games Reaves had played this season. The total points line of 221.5 was among the lowest for a Lakers game this year, and the Over improved to 4-1 in such scenarios following this contest. The final score of 125-109 comfortably cleared the betting total, rewarding those who backed the Over.

The win capped a 5-3 Grammy’s road trip for Los Angeles, providing a much-needed boost as they look to build momentum heading into the All-Star break. The Lakers’ dominance over sub-.500 teams continued, with their record against such opponents improving to 21-8. For Brooklyn, the loss added to a difficult stretch and further fueled speculation about their intentions at the trade deadline, with key players like Porter Jr., Thomas, and Claxton remaining on the roster for now.

For the Lakers, the return of Austin Reaves could not have come at a better time. As the team seeks to solidify its playoff positioning, having a healthy and productive Reaves back in the rotation is a significant advantage. His leadership, versatility, and competitive spirit were on full display, and as LeBron James and Luka Dončić continue to lead the charge, Los Angeles looks poised to make a strong run in the second half of the season. The Nets, meanwhile, will look to regroup and find answers as they navigate a challenging campaign.