Austin Reaves helped the Los Angeles Lakers secure a 120-106 win against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 11, delivering a standout performance in the second half after struggling early in the game. Reaves scored just two points on 1-of-8 shooting in the first half, but turned things around after halftime by making nine of his twelve shots and four out of five three-pointers, finishing with 31 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists.
Reaves said his improved play was due to simply making more shots and enjoying the game. “I finally made some shots, that’s really it,” Reaves said. “Having fun playing basketball. When we have movement offensively, making the right play, things get much easier when that happens.”
Despite a difficult start, Reaves remained focused and did not let missed opportunities affect his approach. “Just continuing to play,” he said about his mindset. “Not dwell on, not gonna say a bad half, but missed some easy shots. Thought I made some good plays, but just continuing to play the game.”
The Lakers’ victory marked their sixth win in seven games and their second consecutive double-digit win over a playoff team. Reaves emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum as the season progresses. “Yeah. That’s two really good wins in a row,” he said. “Like you said, we’ve won six out of seven and it feels like we’re trending in the right direction, just gotta continue to stick to the plan and continue to get better every single day and compete at a high level.”
Lakers head coach JJ Redick also praised center Deandre Ayton for his performance against Minnesota as another key factor in the team’s recent success.
As the Lakers look ahead to future games, continued strong performances from players like Reaves could help them remain competitive against top teams.