The Los Angeles Lakers were able to defeat the the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night by a final score of 125-109. Led by Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic, the Lakers improved to 42-25 on the season.
Reaves put together a masterful performance for Los Angeles. He scored 30 points on 12-for-21 shooting, including making five of his 13 three-point attempts. He also chipped in with seven rebounds, six assists, and two steals.
Doncic played a strong game as well. He racked up 21 points, 14 assists, nine rebounds, and three steals. The Lakers' superstar did have a rough night shooting, connecting on only five of his 20 shot attempts.
Following the big-time game from Reaves, he has set the sports world on fire with takes about him.
Stephen A. Smith was one of the notable figures reacting about Reaves. He did not hold back from putting a bold statement out.
During a segment on "First Take" on Tuesday morning, Smith laid his take about Reaves out on the table.
"Austin Reaves is the best third-option in the entire NBA," Smith said.
"Austin Reaves is the best third-option in the entire NBA." @stephenasmith and @ShannonSharpe on what they're seeing from Luka Doncic and the Lakers pic.twitter.com/NnD2hHSesl
— First Take (@FirstTake) March 18, 2025
Throughout the course of the 2024-25 NBA season, Reaves has played in 60 games. He has averaged 19.6 points per game to go along with 6.0 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.2 steals.
In addition to his averages, Reaves has shot 44.6% from the floor overall and has knocked down 36.6% of his three-point attempts.
Those numbers certainly make him deserving of the bold praise he received from Smith.
While there were some concerns about the big four-year, $56 million Early Bid maximum contract he received, Reaves has put all of those concerns to bed.
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This story was originally published March 18, 2025 at 10:24 AM.