Austin Reaves delivered a standout performance, scoring a career-high 45 points, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 124-117 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. The Lakers played without superstars LeBron James and Luka Dončić, both sidelined due to injury, yet Reaves stepped up, showcasing his shooting skills and versatility on the court.
With James out due to left ankle soreness and Dončić watching from the bench for the third straight game as he recovers from a strained left calf, the Lakers shifted their focus to their other players. Reaves filled the void magnificently, sinking 14 of 26 field goal attempts, including 4 of 9 from three-point range, and going perfect at the free-throw line with 13 attempts. His performance included not only scoring but also adding seven rebounds, seven assists, and three steals, marking it as one of the most significant games of his career.
The Lakers started the game explosively, scoring 44 points in the first quarter, setting the tone for the rest of the match. This strong offensive display led to their fifth consecutive win, steadily climbing to fourth place in the Western Conference standings. Along with Reaves, Rui Hachimura contributed 24 points and Gabe Vincent had 12 points and 7 assists, demonstrating the resilience and depth of the Lakers roster even with their star players absent.
Reaves' remarkable performance paled only against the storming backdrop of the game, as he recorded 14 points alone in the fourth quarter to fend off the Pacers' attempts to close the gap. Despite being down by as much as 25 points during the first half, Indiana showcased determination, with Pascal Siakam leading their scoring efforts with 23 points and Tyrese Haliburton contributing 19 points. Yet, they fell short, unable to complete the comeback.
The match was more than just numbers; it encapsulated the emotion within the Lakers roster. Fans at the arena, expecting to witness the dazzling plays of both James and Dončić, instead celebrated Reaves' triumph and enjoyed Hachimura’s birthday performance, which featured pivotal plays throughout the game.
Reaves' achievement was also noted historically; he is now the youngest Lakers player to score 40 points along with five rebounds and five assists since Kobe Bryant did so back in 2006. Reflecting on his experience, Reaves shared, "It’s surreal because … I grew up a Kobe fan, huge Kobe fan, so I was automatically a Laker fan. Just to be able to put the uniform on and go out there and compete is special."
After the game, Lakers coach JJ Redick voiced strong support for Reaves, calling him integral to the team's roster. “He’s been as important as any player on our team. When he was out with his hip/glute/back from the fall, it was very noticeable...I feel like he was the best player on the floor tonight,” Redick stated emphatically.
LeBron James, also on the sidelines due to injury, celebrated Reaves’ outstanding display, sharing multiple posts on his Instagram, complimenting him as being “flat out problem.” This camaraderie on the team is instrumental, driving their spirit as they prepare for the end of the season.
Entering the game, expectations hovered over the impending debut of Dončić and the return of James, which adds to the narrative coming from this match. The Lakers are now positioned for strong playoff runs, especially considering their recent form, winning 11 out of their last 13 games.
Looking forward, the Lakers are eagerly anticipating the matchup on Monday against the Utah Jazz, where Dončić is expected to make his debut. With the current momentum and the impressive showing against the Pacers, Lakers fans have much to be excited about.
With such unexpected heroics from players like Reaves, the focus of the team points toward building on this success, as they aim not only for playoff contention but also to solidify their reputation and legacy as champions. Stay tuned; the momentum is building!