The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Detroit Pistons 121-116 on Sunday night without Luka Doncic, behind a 43-point performance from Austin Reaves. The Pistons have an elite defense and were the best regular-season team in the Eastern Conference last season. This seemed like a surefire loss without Doncic, but Reaves had other plans. He got paid like a star this summer, and Reaves delivered in a surprise win.
The Lakers are light on ball-handling and shot creation. That was clear in the preseason when Collin Sexton was out. This was a problem without Luka. Quentin Grimes struggled after a hot start, and Sexton had just two assists and two turnovers. LA needed a superstar performance from Reaves. He outdueled Cade Cunningham and made sure the Lakers got the win.
The Lakers rode a hot start to the victory. They were up 24 at the end of the first quarter after shooting 69.5 percent. The Lakers needed every one of them. The Pistons stormed back over the final three periods, but LA got the upset thanks to AR.
Austin Reaves is proving he is an All-Star
The Lakers are 9-2 on the season and 2-0 when Luka sits. The first win was against the Los Angeles Clippers, where Reaves had just 16 points on 16 shots. It was a dominant win, but AR is still figuring out how to balance when he takes over as the number one. He answered those questions in Detroit.
Reaves is averaging 25.3 points, 4.6 assists, 3.4 rebounds, and 0.8 steals on the season. Those are All-Star numbers, and Reaves got closer by leading LA to a win over an elite team without the MVP frontrunner.
Reaves has improved every year, but he has always been LA’s number three option. They gave him more offensive responsibility last season. The Lakers still had LeBron to step up when Reaves was struggling. They don’t have that option this season. Reaves needs to carry the mail whenever Luka isn’t on the floor. He keeps delivering.
Lakers look like serious title contenders
LA is 9-2 this season and just defeated the best team in the East from last season. They have won five straight. Luka looks like the MVP. He is averaging over 40 points per game and is unstoppable. Reaves gives him a legit co-star capable of taking over when Doncic needs a rest.
The Lakers have the best record in the West. Oklahoma City is down three starters, which has everyone wondering about their ability to contend. The Spurs are elite, but the purple and gold should be in that conversation. Rob Pelinka remade the roster around Luka this summer. They have nine new players and are still off to a 9-2 start.
Luka gives them a chance to defeat any team, and Reaves is reaching that status. They are both elite offensive options capable of carrying the team. Fans know top-end talent wins in the playoffs, and the Lakers increased their depth in the offseason overhaul.
Austin Reaves keeps getting better
Reaves is 28 years old and in the middle of his prime. He just had his first 40-point game of the season. AR is setting a new career high in scoring and shooting the best free-throw percentage of his career. He just keeps getting better, and the team’s chemistry only makes it better.
Reaves should make his first All-Star appearance and will be in the running for All-NBA if he stays healthy. Sunday’s win in Detroit was a statement game. Reaves hunted Duncan Robinson and Kevin Huerter on his way to a monster performance. That is what superstars do.
Austin Reaves is increasing his stats in an expanded role, which isn’t easy. Teams sell out to stop Luka. All of those defenders turned to Reaves on Sunday night, but it didn’t matter. Their other star led them to a win. Expect Doncic to return on Monday night as the Lakers look to make it six straight.
The Los Angeles Lakers look elite thanks to Austin Reaves. He is an elite number two option who is capable of being the number one. Credit to him for delivering and keeping the win streak going.
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