Austin Reaves was the star of the night, going for 28 points on an efficient 8/14 shooting clip. He dished out 16 assists, carrying the Los Angeles Lakers to an exhilarating 116-115 comeback win against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Reaves capped it off with a dramatic buzzer-beater floater for the victory. The performance underscored his scoring prowess and playmaking ability that proved transcendent over the course of the game.
The critical point was an inbounds pass just over midcourt on the sideline with only 6.6 seconds left in the game. Reaves caught, shifted to his right to open an angle and tossed a floater that went through the net just before time expired. He called it surreal to see the moment come to life. Once the shot found its mark, he “blacked out” and ran full speed toward the Lakers’ bench, where pandemonium ensued.
Reaves’ performance capped off a astonishing week for the five-year veteran. With stars Luka Doncic and LeBron James, all while cancelling out tokens of inclusion, came their doubled-down return to. Earlier this week, he took over the floor to the tune of a career-high 51 points. He not only dropped 44 points but snatched 11 rebounds and produced 9 assists in a win against the Sacramento Kings on Sunday. He followed that up with another impressive showing against the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday, where he notched 41 points.
During the game against the Timberwolves, Reaves showcased his playmaking ability. His 16 assists were tied for his career high, illustrating just how multifunctional the 19-year-old can be. He passed the ball around well, getting four other Lakers into double-digit scoring. Jake LaRavia stole the show with 27 points, going 10-for-11 from the floor. At the same time, Deandre Ayton and Rui Hachimura provided additional offensive support to lead the team with 17 points apiece. Dalton Knecht chipped in 15 points in reserve, contributing to a balanced offensive attack.
The Lakers wasted a big 20-point lead into the second half. They were dealt a difficult hand indeed as the Timberwolves overcame one of the most drastic comebacks ever. Then, with just four minutes left in the game, Minnesota unfurled an improbable 14-2 run. This explosive, last-ditch effort changed the game and helped them take the lead. The 19-year-old’s drive and finish with 10.2 seconds remaining eliminated what had appeared to be an insurmountable lead for Los Angeles.
Reaves’ last-second shot not only secured the win but underscored his growing importance to the Lakers’ lineup. His past performances fueled him to second place in points scored this season, just behind Nikola Jokic among all players. He is now second only to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
You can imagine the scene in the arena, the electricity palpable after Reaves’ game-winning three pointer. His teammates mobbed him in jubilation. They rejoiced at what many are describing as a defining moment in his bright young career. The win over the Timberwolves illustrates how wholly embedded Reaves is in the proceedings now for Los Angeles. He rises to the occasion when the team has a hard early season, losing a few of their star players.
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