Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves celebrates during a game.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves celebrates during a game.
Both LeBron James and Luka Doncic are out for the Los Angeles Lakers due to injuries, with the former yet to play this season due to sciatica and the latter missing their last three games as he nurses a left finger sprain and a lower leg contusion. Amid their absence, however, Austin Reaves has carried the Purple and Gold.
In the last three games, Reaves has recorded a combined total of 120 points, 16 rebounds and 30 assists. He has led the Lakers to two wins during that stretch, allowing them to improve to 3-2 this campaign.
Reaves has had plenty of memorable performances, including his near 50-point triple-double against the Sacramento Kings. However, his display on Wednesday particularly stood out, as he delivered a game-winner against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
With 6.6 seconds left and the Timberwolves ahead 115-114, Reaves took matters into his own hands to give L.A. the victory. He drove to the basket, moving past Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert, and floated in the game-winning shot just as the clock hit zero.
Sure enough, the entire NBA world was in awe of what he did. Aside from James and Doncic, several current and former players took to social media to react to Reaves’ just did’ clutch play.
“Austin, thank you for making me feel a little better after my Dodgers lost!” NBA legend Magic Johnson wrote. Lakers icon Pau Gasol added, “Austin Reaves!!! Cold blooded. Keep hooping!”
“AR15 omg,” Dwight Howard stated.
“#WorthyClap,” former Laker James Worthy shared, along with clapping emojis.
“Brinks Truck AR asap sheesh,” Patrick Beverley remarked. Chandler Parsons also said, “HIM.”
New York Knicks guard Josh Hart posted, “AR so tough.”
“AR!!!” a hyped DeMarcus Cousins wrote, along with a fire emoji.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15).
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15).
Reaves finished the game against the Timberwolves with 28 points, one rebound and 16 assists. Sure enough, the Lakers will lean on him more, as James and Doncic continue to recover.