The Los Angeles Lakers are without Luka Doncic and LeBron James for at least the next week, but Austin Reaves instantly proved he can be a superstar when he’s the number one option. The 6’5 guard was averaging 25.5 points and 10.0 assists in the first two games as Luka’s sidekick, but he took it to another level when the Lakers needed it most.
Reaves went off for 51 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists, and two steals in 39 minutes of action in a win over the Kings in Sacramento. He set a new career-high in scoring as the guard made 12 of his 22 field goal attempts and went 21 of 22 from the free throw line. The Lakers were without five players, and Gabe Vincent made it six when he was injured in the third quarter. They needed Reaves to be a superstar to have any hope, and the 27-year-old guard delivered.
Reaves is in the final year of his contract and has no plans of extending before reaching free agency. He wants to be a Laker for life, but is in line for a massive payday in the summer of 2026. The prime guard proved to be worth every penny on Sunday night.
Lakers fans knew Austin Reaves would go off against the Kings
Luka Doncic has never played more than 72 games in a season. He will miss time every year, so the Lakers need a co-star that can elevate his game when number 77 is off the floor. Reaves has been fantastic next to Doncic and was even better without him.
Reaves was doing it all on Sunday night. Head coach JJ Redick was only going to play eight players before Gabe Vincent’s injury. He went to a ninth out of necessity, but that is how dire things were for the Lakers. They desperately needed Reaves to become elite.
The 6’5 wing answered every bell. Reaves was creating off the dribble, getting to the foul line, making plays, and even picked up a couple of steals. The Lakers outscored the Kings by 22 in his minutes in Sacramento. AR took full advantage of being the top option, just like fans knew he would.
This was not the first time. Reaves had chances last season with Luka and LeBron out, including a 45-point game in February to lift the Lakers over the eventual Eastern Conference champion Pacers. He didn’t miss his first shot of this year, but fans shouldn’t be surprised.
The Los Angeles Lakers need Austin Reaves to keep this up with Luka Doncic and LeBron James injured through the end of October. It has been a blistering start to the season for AR, and he just keeps getting better.
Fans are not shocked, but they may be when they see his next contract. Luckily, Reaves continues to prove he is worth every penny. His first game of the season without Luka was part of the rule, not the exception. LA fans know that. Hopefully, Reaves can keep it up until The Don returns.
