The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Indiana Pacers 128-117 on Friday night as Austin Reaves proved he can be the team’s second star. LeBron James was out with an elbow injury. AR had just four points on one of eight shooting from the field in the first half. Luka Doncic was going off, and his partner in crime willed the ball in after the break to ensure LA got the win.
It would have been easy for Reaves to get down on himself and disappear after a rough start. Over his last seven games, he was shooting just 41.7 percent from the field and averaging 15.4 points. Those are not superstar numbers. It takes a special player to block it all out amid a disappointing slump and deliver.
Reaves will be an unrestricted free agent in the offseason after declining his player option, but the Lakers want him to be Luka’s co-star for years to come. He showed flashes to start this season, but has been struggling. Reaves busted out of that slump in the second half against the Pacers just as a star would.
JJ Redick gives Austin Reaves props for finding a way
The head coach was asked about AR’s struggles and how he overcame them in the second half to help LA get the much-needed win. Fans can read Redick’s response below.
“He was able to get by his guy, drive, and attack the paint. I thought he got fouled. I know there was one early that he got fouled on, but I thought he got fouled on a number of drives. You know that wasn’t being called tonight. He played through a lot of contact tonight. Similar to Luka, he willed it in on a night where he initially didn’t have it. That stretch in the second half was great where he made five of six shots.”
Lesser players wouldn’t have answered the bell. Think about how many guys go the other way, but the resilience is what makes Reaves special.
Austin Reaves proves he is a star against the Pacers
The Lakers were without LeBron, Deandre Ayton, and Maxi Kleber on Friday night against the Pacers. They were on the second night of a back-to-back and coming off a difficult loss. LA desperately needed their best players to step up. Luka Doncic had it going from the jump, and Reaves found it in the second half to ensure a purple and gold victory.
Reaves finished with 19 points, five assists, and two rebounds in 29 minutes of action. He only made six of his 14 field goal attempts and was one of four from 3-point range, but his 11 fourth-quarter points iced the game. They also allowed number 77 to get some extra rest in the final stanza.
Austin Reaves keeps taking his game to new heights. He has gone from undrafted rookie to starter to star before Lakers fans' eyes. It has been an incredible run that everyone hopes is just getting started. Not many players would have bounced back as AR did in the second half, but he is truly special.
The Los Angeles Lakers got further confirmation that Austin Reaves is ready to be Luka Doncic’s co-star for years to come. The duo has already formed a special bond and is ready to lead the NBA’s best franchise to another title. Even when he is struggling, Reaves can find a way to get back on track.
The Lakers will need plenty of that, especially if they let LeBron James walk this summer. Luckily, AR is ready to take over. The pressure is firmly on Rob Pelinka and the front office to find the right role players to make LA a serious title threat. Only time will tell if it happens.