Reaves Ignites Lakers Comeback Win Over 76ers

After a grueling eight-game road trip and a spell of wintry weather back East, the Los Angeles Lakers finally returned to the friendly confines of Crypto.com Arena on Thursday night. Their welcome-home present? A surging Philadelphia 76ers squad riding a five-game winning streak. The Lakers, still adjusting from their travels, started flat and sluggish, committing a flurry of turnovers and falling behind early. But as the night wore on, the Lakers’ resilience—and the emergence of Austin Reaves—turned what looked like a sure defeat into a thrilling 119-115 comeback victory.

The first quarter was a rough one for Los Angeles. The Lakers made just one of their first six shots and coughed up the ball seven times, giving the 76ers a quick 20-10 advantage. Head coach JJ Redick, in his first season at the helm, called an early timeout to settle his squad. Out of the break, Rui Hachimura provided a spark off the bench with a timely three-pointer, and Luka Doncic followed with a layup and a dunk, slicing into Philadelphia’s lead. Still, the Lakers couldn’t quite find their rhythm, trailing 27-21 after the opening frame.

Things didn’t improve much in the second quarter. LeBron James attempted to rally the team with a powerful dunk, and Austin Reaves—just two games removed from a five-and-a-half week calf injury—knocked down a triple. But disaster struck midway through the period when Luka Doncic appeared to tweak his hamstring. He immediately exited and did not return, leaving the Lakers without one of their biggest stars for the rest of the night. At halftime, Los Angeles found itself down 59-51, plagued by 13 first-half turnovers and struggling to contain Joel Embiid, who was in the midst of another scoring outburst.

Embiid, the reigning MVP, was nearly unstoppable. He poured in 35 points on 13-of-19 shooting, torching the Lakers from mid-range and inside. Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia’s All-Star starter, was held in check for much of the contest, and the Sixers as a whole struggled from deep, connecting on just 6-of-21 three-point attempts. The Lakers, meanwhile, leaned on their depth and rebounding prowess, ultimately out-boarding the 76ers 41-28—a crucial edge that helped offset their 22 turnovers.

The third quarter began ominously for the Lakers, with Philadelphia quickly extending its lead to double digits. But just when it seemed the game might slip away, Los Angeles responded with grit and determination. Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura led the charge offensively, while Marcus Smart provided valuable defense and hit timely shots. By the end of the third, the Lakers had trimmed the deficit to just two points, 87-85, setting the stage for a wild finish.

Reaves, playing under a minutes restriction, was nothing short of electric. He scored 14 points in the first half on 6-of-8 shooting and had 22 through three quarters. But it was the fourth quarter where he truly shined. Reaves opened the final frame by beating the shot clock with a three-pointer, then buried another to give the Lakers their first lead of the night. His confidence was palpable, and the crowd roared with every basket. Marcus Smart soon followed with back-to-back triples, pushing the Lakers’ advantage to double digits and forcing the 76ers into desperation mode.

LeBron James, who had struggled through the first three quarters—shooting just 2-of-9 and tallying only seven points—caught fire in the fourth. He scored 10 points in the final period, finishing with 17 points on 7-of-17 shooting, along with 10 assists, four rebounds, and a block. However, James also committed eight turnovers, a stat he’ll surely want to clean up as the Lakers continue their homestand.

As the clock wound down, Philadelphia mounted one last charge, cutting the lead to just two points with 27 seconds left. But the Lakers held firm. Reaves delivered the dagger with his fifth three-pointer of the night, and Los Angeles escaped with a hard-fought win. Reaves’ final stat line: 35 points on 12-of-17 shooting, including 5-of-8 from beyond the arc and 6-of-7 from the free-throw line, along with five rebounds and two assists—all in just 25 minutes off the bench. "He did a fantastic job of doing damage both from the perimeter and near the rim," noted one postgame analysis. "Reaves ended up scoring 35 points and looked very much like his usual self, especially while operating off the dribble and attacking downhill."

Other Lakers contributed in key moments. Rui Hachimura added 14 points and seven rebounds, providing valuable minutes for the second unit. Marcus Smart chipped in seven points, four rebounds, and five assists, his defensive intensity and clutch shooting in the fourth quarter helping to swing the momentum. Jake LaRavia and Maxi Kleber also made their presence felt, combining for 18 points and several key defensive plays.

Luka Doncic’s night was cut short after just 16 minutes, in which he scored 10 points, grabbed four rebounds, and dished out two assists. He also committed five turnovers, a sign of the Lakers’ early struggles with ball security. After the game, Redick confirmed that Doncic experienced tightness in his hamstring and was held out as a precaution. His status will be closely monitored as the Lakers enter a crucial stretch of the season.

For Reaves, this performance was more than just another strong outing—it was a statement. The 27-year-old guard has averaged 26.1 points, 6.0 assists, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.0 steal in 24 games this season, numbers that have him poised for a big payday in free agency this summer. According to multiple reports, Reaves is expected to decline his player option and become an unrestricted free agent, with max contract offers likely coming his way. "He was a star to begin the season, and quickly returned to that level after his calf injury," wrote one analyst. "The Los Angeles Lakers need Austin Reaves and are ready to pay him." Fans in L.A. have grown accustomed to his heroics, but even they might be surprised by the size of his next contract.

With the win, the Lakers improved to five victories in their last seven games and will look to build on this momentum as they finish out the first half of the regular season with four more home games. Next up: a Saturday night clash with the Golden State Warriors—a matchup sure to test the team’s depth, especially if Doncic remains sidelined.

Thursday’s victory wasn’t pretty, but it showcased the Lakers’ heart, their ability to overcome adversity, and the undeniable star power of Austin Reaves. With the playoff race heating up and roster questions looming, one thing is clear: when the lights are brightest, Reaves is ready to shine. The Lakers’ faithful can only hope this is just the beginning of another memorable run.