Austin Reaves Explodes for 51 Points as Lakers Overcome Kings Without doncic
The Los angeles Lakers needed a standout performance on sunday, and Austin Reaves delivered in spectacular fashion, scoring a career-high 51 points to lead his team to a 127-120 victory over the Sacramento Kings at golden 1 Center.
Facing a Kings squad eager to exploit the absence of key players, Reaves seized the opportunity, showcasing a remarkable 20-second burst of offensive brilliance early in the game – a three-pointer, a steal from Dario Saric, and a breakaway layup. This display set the tone for a night where the 26-year-old guard carried the Lakers, adding 11 rebounds and nine assists to his notable stat line.
The victory was made even sweeter by the outpouring of support from teammates. As the final buzzer sounded, Rui Hachimura embraced Reaves, playfully punching his stomach, while Jake LaRavia covered the guard’s head with a towel. The celebration continued in the locker room, with Reaves playfully enduring a frigid water dousing.
“This is a small-town kid from arkansas who went undrafted who last year averaged a 20-ball in the NBA and just had a 50-ball,” said the Lakers coach, JJ redick. “These moments are unbelievable for him. I think his teammates see that. I know as a coaching staff we see that.”
“You can see him even as an essentially third option, what he does night-in and night-out,” forward Jarred Vanderbilt said. “So I’m happy to see him get 50. Not a lot of people in this league can do that.”
The dynamic between the two stars was evident even from the sidelines, with Doncic reportedly texting Reaves before the game, challenging him to score 60 points, and playfully teasing him about a missed free throw in the previous game against Minnesota. Vanderbilt also encouraged Reaves to reach the 50-point mark before the game.
Reaves, however, remained focused on the team’s success. “I wasn’t in my head thinking, ‘You gotta go score 50,'” he explained, finishing the game 12-for-22 from the field, including six three-pointers, and converting 21 of 22 free throw attempts. “It was, ‘Do whatever you can do to help the team win.'”
Lakers Navigate Injuries and a Tough Test
The Lakers’ victory wasn’t without its challenges. Beginning a stretch of four games in six days, the team’s depth was further tested when guard Gabe Vincent injured his left ankle in the third quarter, requiring him to leave the game on crutches with a protective boot. The coach did not provide an immediate update on the severity of the injury.
Despite the setback, the Lakers found contributions from across the roster. Marcus Smart, starting in place of Doncic, contributed 11 points and five assists, while Hachimura added 18 points. Deandre Ayton dominated the paint with 22 points and 15 rebounds, capping off a powerful performance with a two-handed dunk that extended the Lakers’ lead late in the fourth quarter. Reaves admitted he felt light-headed from his own celebration following Ayton’s dunk.
The kings (1-2) attempted to limit Reaves’ impact by aggressively trapping him, but the Lakers’ teammates responded effectively. The Lakers (2-1) ultimately proved to resilient, securing a hard-fought victory and demonstrating their ability to overcome adversity in the face of key injuries.
