Los Angeles Lakers Shooting Guard Austin Reaves needed a career day to help a short-handed Lakers squad overcome the Indiana Pacers. He scored a career-high 45 points and added 7 rebounds and 7 assists to help the Lakers hang on for a 124-117 victory. Reaves has had a solid regular season. He is averaging 18.5 points per game, 4.3 rebounds, and 6.1 assists. Reaves is 19th in the league in assists.
Reaves was LA’s only marquee player in this Saturday matinee as LeBron James was out with ankle soreness and the newly acquired Luka Doncic was not yet healthy enough to make his debut with the Los Angeles Lakers. Will Reaves and the Lakers be able to keep up their high level of play?
Los Angeles Lakers Season Summary
Austin Reaves tonight:
45 PTS (career-high)
7 REB
7 AST
3 STL
13/13 FTThe Lakers are 3-1 without LeBron this season. pic.twitter.com/pDyrSLbNN4
— StatMuse (@statmuse) February 8, 2025
Los Angeles saw their roster overhauled completely at the NBA Trade Deadline. They shockingly acquired Point Guard Luka Doncic for the Dallas Mavericks and traded away Anthony Davis. The Lakers also acquired Center Mark Williams at the deadline. It has been a strong regular season for the Los Angeles Lakers. They are 31-19 and the fourth seed in the Western Conference.
Their offense has been stellar this year. They are 17th in points scored, 6th in field goal percentage, and 16th in three-point percentage. LA’s defense has also illustrated signs of promise this season. They are 11th in points allowed, 17th in opposing field goal percentage, and in the top half of the league in turning over the opposition. First-year Head Coach JJ Redick has been exactly what the team needed. He has worked wonders with the team in his first year at the helm.
Final Thoughts
The Lakers have an exciting game coming up on Monday and they expect to have their full complement of weapons available. They host the Utah Jazz in what will be an enlightening contest. Los Angeles will get a test drive of what it looks like to have James, Doncic, and Williams on the floor. Los Angeles has increased its title chances drastically over the last week with multiple good moves. The team will have 30 games to work out any kinks for what they hope is a deep playoff run.
