Austin Reaves Describes What Guarding Stephen Curry Was Like: “It’s Honestly Hell”

Austin Reaves did not have a good time during the Lakers' playoff series against the Warriors, trying to guard Stephen Curry for the matchup.

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Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors had arguably the most entertaining series of the postseason, as the rival franchises met up in a very high-stakes clash.

The usual narratives of LeBron James vs. the Warriors were being spun, but the Lakers emerged victorious due to a team effort. Austin Reaves was one of the key contributors in the series, taking the challenge of guarding Stephen Curry as his primary responsibility. He did a decent job at it, recently revealing how exhausting the process was.

“It’s honestly hell… You literally can’t ever relax. I remember Games 1 and 2, chasing him and Klay around, and I couldn’t make a shot… I’m like ‘I ain’t got no legs!’” 

Reaves held Curry to 26.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 7.5 assists on 43.9% shooting, which is quite impressive given how dangerous Curry has been over the course of his career. On his own, Reaves played a role in the series and averaged 14.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists to lead the Lakers to a 4-2 win. 


Most Improved Player Season Loading For Reaves?

Austin Reaves is going to have a bigger role in the Lakers offense this season, without a doubt. His development through the playoffs was remarkable to see and the Lakers will hope the combo guard can carve out a defined role as the third star on the Lakers. He will be sharing the backcourt with the likes of D’Angelo Russell and Gabe Vincent, so the Lakers will likely stagger all of their minutes. 

If Reaves could repeat his playoff averages across a season or even improve on them slightly, he would be in contention for Most Improved Player of the Year. Reaves will be a part of the Lakers’ future for long after LeBron James and Anthony Davis leave the squad, especially given both stars can be free agents at the end of next season.

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Ishaan Bhattacharya is a content manager for Fadeaway World from New Delhi, India. With his expertise in NBA content creation, Ishaan brings a wealth of experience to his role, contributing to the site's authority and reach within the basketball community. Over the last year, Ishaan has interviewed Ray Allen and Mark Tatum, while also covering the 2023 NBA Abu Dhabi Games which saw the Dallas Mavericks take on the Minnesota Timberwolves.Since joining Fadeaway World in March 2022, Ishaan Bhattacharya has become known for his unique perspective on the NBA. He consistently delivers this insight through his daily news coverage and detailed opinion pieces on the most significant topics in the league.Before his tenure at Fadeaway World, Ishaan worked in corporate communications, where he serviced prominent sports brands, including NBA India, Sports18, Amazon Prime Sports, and Royal Challengers Bangalore. This experience in strategic communications for leading sports entities has enhanced his ability to craft impactful narratives and connect with a global audience.A true MFFLer (Mavs Fan for Life, for the uninitiated), Ishaan is a massive fan of the Dallas Mavericks. When he is not upset about Jalen Brunson walking in free agency, you can see Ishaan as an avid gamer and content creator. His passion for basketball extends beyond the Mavericks, as evidenced by his thoughtfully curated NBA Mount Rushmore, featuring LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Bill Russell—each representing distinct eras and bringing their unique qualities to the game.Featured On: ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Bleacher ReportYahoo Sports, NBA, Fox Sports, The Spun
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