The Los Angeles Lakers are already navigating some rocky waters this season as it pertains to their injury report, yet they have a 2-1 record through three games and are finding increasing reasons for optimism.
The Lakers began the season without star forward LeBron James, who remains sidelined due to sciatica, and they recently learned that they will be without star guard Luka Doncic for their upcoming stretch of games as he deals with finger and leg injuries.
In a vacuum, that would seem like a nightmare for a Lakers team that is trying to avoid digging itself an early hole in the Western Conference, but worry not: Austin Reaves is here.
The fifth-year guard is off to a blazing start this season and just put together a remarkable performance against the Sacramento Kings on Sunday to will the Lakers to a victory with both James and Doncic out. He finished with 51 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists on strong efficiency.
As the Lakers look to stay afloat without their two best players in the coming games, Reaves is going to be their best chance to grab some wins, and this may also be the 27-year-old’s best opportunity to start building an All-Star resume this season. Could Doncic’s injury end up being a blessing in disguise for Reaves?
The door is wide open for Austin Reaves
Reaves, functioning as L.A.’s No. 2 option next to Doncic in the first two games of the season, did his job.
In the season opener against the Golden State Warriors, the Lakers came up short, but Reaves finished with 26 points, five rebounds and nine assists. He then followed that up with a similar showing in L.A.’s first win of the season against the Minnesota Timberwolves, as he had 25 points, seven rebounds and 11 assists.
That all led to his monster showing against the Kings on Sunday in which he caught the attention of the entire NBA world.
The truth is that with James and Doncic both sidelined right now, Reaves is the only player the Lakers have who is equipped to work as a passable top option. No, Reaves would never be your No. 1 guy in an ideal scenario, but when your top guys are out, isn’t it a luxury to have someone like him who can keep you competitive?
He’s now averaging 34.0 points, 7.7 rebounds and 9.7 assists per game this season while shooting 56.6 percent from the field and 45.0 percent from deep. And as long as James and Doncic are out, he’s going to have a chance to juice his averages in a major way.
Doncic should return before James, but there’s going to be a window here where it’s Reaves’ show. The challenge for him is that he’s now going to be at the top of the scouting report for opposing teams until Doncic is back. That means he’s going to draw extra attention in the film room and extra attention on the floor as teams scheme against him.
Another 51-point outburst might be too much to ask for, but Reaves’ usage is going to be through the roof in the coming games. If he can use that opportunity to have some more big performances, his per-game averages could reach heights that won’t come all the way down until the All-Star consideration has already begun.
Once Luka returns, the door isn’t closing
So, what happens after Doncic comes back?
Well, the Lakers will still be without James. They’re going to need Reaves to keep playing like a strong No. 2 option next to Doncic, and with Reaves’ confidence surely rising, fans should have all the belief in the world that he’s ready to do just that.
Eventually, the Lakers will have Doncic, James and Reaves all back in the lineup. That means Reaves will be expected to be the team’s third-best offensive player again. But let’s keep something in mind: LeBron James is old.
We haven’t seen James yet in his 23rd season, and by the time we do, he will be closer to 41 than ever before. We also don’t know how he’s going to look upon immediately returning from his sciatica issue. James is timeless, but that doesn’t mean he couldn’t use some help.
All this to say, maybe it’s time for James and Reaves to take turns as the No. 2 option on this team. Sure, James may end up being the guy who functions as Doncic’s primary co-star most nights, but what if it’s Reaves who ends up with the second-biggest role in a lot of games?
If he’s ready, he’s ready. And right now, it certainly looks like he is. A scenario that keeps James as fresh as possible for the playoffs is a win for everybody.
The opportunity, at least for now, is going to be there for Austin Reaves to make an All-Star case this season. The question now becomes whether he will continue to rise to the occasion and seize it.