The Los Angeles Lakers have started the season on the right foot, despite dealing with several key injuries. The team is currently without players like Luka Dončić, Marcus Smart, Gabe Vincent, and LeBron James. Even so, Austin Reaves continues to find ways to lead the team — including hitting a buzzer-beater against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
“This week is reaching Linsanity levels for Austin Reaves. Let the Reavesvolution continue. He hits the game winner at the buzzer to lift L.A. to 116-115 victory in MIN. 28 pts and 16 ast on the night,” Lakers insider Dave McMenamin posted.
The Lakers are thankful to have Reaves, especially during this stretch, but there’s one concern: he’s expected to opt out of his contract after the season. With the way he’s performing, other teams will certainly be ready to bid for him.
“On top of that, if Reaves keeps churning out performances like that one, teams around the league will certainly take even more notice. That could hike up his pricetag in free agency and perhaps even make more teams interested in throwing him an offer. That’s dangerous for the Lakers. Reaves playing well is obviously amazing for the Lakers, but it’s going to make the team’s future a bit trickier to navigate after this season, one way or another,” Lake Show Life’s Jack Simone wrote.
After his fifth game of the year on Wednesday, Reaves broke NBA history in a way no player ever has before.
“34.2 PPG. 10.0 APG. 1.8 SPG. 52.5 FG%. 38.5 3P%. 89.7 FT%. That's what the Lakers' Austin Reaves is averaging in 5 games this season. No one else in NBA history has put up those numbers or better over any 5-game span in a single season,” Opta Stats posted.
Reaves is on an incredible tear right now — one that may slow down once Dončić and James return. For now, though, he’s leading the team in their absence.
The Lakers are rallying behind Reaves as their go-to player, and he’s not only scoring at a high level but also distributing efficiently, setting up his teammates for success. There’s still a long season ahead, but this start is unprecedented — and may never be replicated again.