Austin Reaves delivered a standout performance in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 132-122 victory over the Sacramento Kings, recording 26 points, 16 assists, and 6 rebounds. His 16 assists marked a career-high, showcasing his growth as a playmaker. However, Reaves, ever the self-critic, focused on his mistakes rather than celebrating his accomplishments.
Question: “All right, Austin, coming off the game-winning hoop on Christmas Day, you match your point total of 26 with 16 assists tonight, a career-high. What were you seeing reading the floor, as Jaxson Hayes says, Ty, in diming out your teammates tonight?”
Austin Reaves: “I just thought it was sticking within our system. I had some dumb turnovers. And to be honest, I didn’t play very well in the fourth quarter, but a win’s a win, and that’s all that matters in this league.”
Question: “I like the self-critique. It’s 26-16. It’s pretty good. LeBron wasn’t here. You had to set your game up a little bit. Anthony Davis always seems to do so as well. A lot of your assists went to the big man.”
Austin Reaves: “Yeah, I mean, the game’s easy when you play with him. You just throw him the pocket pass, and if he shoots the folder, you’ve got a high percentage of going in. So, it’s easy to have him on your team.”
Question: “It’s not easy to beat a team four times, certainly three times in the last week. You get it done against Sacramento. What did it take? They were really pushing hard tonight.”
Austin Reaves: “Yeah, I mean they’ve been struggling. I think they’ve lost six in a row, but that isn’t that isn’t what their team is. They play hard. They compete in every position. They got really good players. They’ll figure out their way.”
“You know, I can almost guarantee that, like I said, because they got too much talent and they obviously play really hard. So it’s tough to, like you said, beat a team four times, but happily, we could do that because we haven’t in the past couple years.”
Question: “Anything just coming up with these home games ahead here Austin? Early in the season was a lot of travel. Can you take advantage now of some time in Los Angeles?”
Austin Reaves: “Yeah, for sure. It’s always great to be in LA. That means, you know, every off day I can go get around a golf in. So mental will be good. And hopefully, the basketball stays good as well.”
The game was a crucial test for the Lakers, who were missing their leader, LeBron James, due to illness. Reaves stepped up alongside Anthony Davis, who had a dominant 36 points, 15 rebounds, and 8 assists. The duo carried the Lakers, ensuring a victory that improved their record to 18-13 on the season.
Reaves displayed remarkable court vision throughout the game, consistently finding open teammates, especially Davis. Many of his assists came from seamless pocket passes to Davis, who capitalized on his efficient scoring.
Reaves’ ability to orchestrate the offense was crucial in the absence of James. His poise and decision-making allowed the Lakers to maintain their rhythm, particularly during a third-quarter explosion where they outscored the Kings 42-24 to break the game open.
Beyond Davis and Reaves, the Lakers saw contributions from their supporting cast. Rui Hachimura added 21 points, while rookie Dalton Knecht chipped in 18 points off the bench. Max Christie also impressed with 16 points and defensive hustle, further highlighting the Lakers’ depth.
The Lakers’ balanced approach was key in countering strong performances from the Kings. De’Aaron Fox led Sacramento with 29 points, 12 assists, and 4 steals, while DeMar DeRozan added 25 points. Despite their efforts, the Kings couldn’t overcome the Lakers’ offensive efficiency and dominance on the boards.
While Reaves acknowledged the team’s success, he remained focused on his areas for improvement. His five turnovers, including some in critical moments, left him dissatisfied. Reaves’ self-awareness and commitment to improvement have been hallmarks of his rise within the Lakers organization.
From being an undrafted rookie to a key playmaker, he has embraced the responsibility of stepping up when needed, particularly in games where stars like James are unavailable.
With the Lakers set to continue their homestand against the league-leading Cleveland Cavaliers, Reaves will have another opportunity to showcase his playmaking ability. His performance against the Kings demonstrated his potential to lead the Lakers’ offense, but his self-critique underscores his drive to refine his game.
As the Lakers look to build on their momentum, Reaves’ growth as a playmaker and his partnership with Davis will be pivotal. Despite his career night, Reaves’ focus remains on the bigger picture: team success and his own evolution as a player.
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