The Los Angeles Lakers improved to 3-2 on Wednesday night with a thrilling 116-115 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves, despite both LeBron James and Luka Doncic being sidelined due to minor injuries.
For the third consecutive game, Los Angeles was led by two-way guard Austin Reaves, who capped the win with a last-second runner from just inside the paint at the buzzer. Reaves continued his historic start to the season, finishing with 28 points and 16 assists.
This performance follows two 25-plus point games to start the season, a 51-point explosion against the Sacramento Kings two games ago, and a 41-point effort in a loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.
The former undrafted star has now become the first Lakers player to start a season with five straight 25-plus point games since the legendary Kobe Bryant achieved the rare feat in 2005.
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Reaves spoke about the final moments of the game after the Lakers blew a double-digit lead in the second half.
“Everybody is looking at me, and in those situations, you have to be calm, confident, and lead your guys through it,” Reaves said. “We were up about 10 late, and they went on a run. It’s hard not to kind of crumble in those moments, but you have to keep your energy high and keep the team’s spirit up.”
Lakers head coach JJ Redick, now in his second season with the franchise, has been vocal about Reaves’ growth as both a player and a leader.
“That guy is going to show up in the big moments,” Redick said. “I’m not surprised. He’s done that many times in his career.”
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