Austin Reaves made a strong return to the Los Angeles Lakers’ starting lineup after being limited by a calf injury earlier in the season. In the team’s 125-122 victory over the L.A. Clippers, Reaves scored 29 points on efficient shooting, including four three-pointers. He also drew an offensive foul on Bennedict Mathurin in the fourth quarter, which led to Mathurin’s disqualification.
Head coach JJ Redick highlighted Reaves’ defensive effort as pivotal to the win. “Yeah, I thought the charge was the play of the game,” Redick said. “Frankly, the second charge would’ve been the play of the game had made the right call, which they didn’t. And you know, they (Clippers) make a three, but you know, that was a huge play given the circumstances. He was fantastic tonight, you know, other than the two turnovers there and the third in traffic.
“He just played a super efficient night. I mean, look, Luka [Dončić] was fantastic, and I’m sure you’ll have questions about him. I thought [Marcus] Smart and DA (Deandre Ayton) in that fourth quarter were really difference makers for us. Smart was fantastic on defense all night. And then seven minutes left in the fourth or whatever it was, and he hasn’t taken a shot. We come out of a timeout, he makes a three, and then he makes another one. Then he gets the and-one. So, just huge from him. I guess it was a long two, but in my mind, it was a three. But, just huge stuff from him. Leadership in the huddles, all that. And then DA was great and very engaged and just was able to execute our defensive game plan at a really high level.”
Reaves’ performance comes after missing significant time due to injury during a season when many Lakers players have faced health challenges—including LeBron James and Luka Doncic missing games with their own injuries.
With their key players healthy again heading into the latter part of the season, Reaves discussed how important it will be for them to build chemistry as they aim for continued success.
