Austin Reaves' Breakout Fuels Lakers' Surge

Austin Reaves has erupted into a star stretch for the Lakers, producing multiple huge scoring and playmaking nights — including 51- and 41-point games and recent lines of 31-9-11 and 28-16 — and he hit a game-winner while LeBron James and Luka Dončić have been sidelined. Over a recent three-game span he averaged roughly 40 points and 10 assists, and his 171 points and 50 assists through five games put him in rare Lakers company with Jerry West and Magic Johnson. Broadcasters and former players, including Brian Windhorst, Kendrick Perkins and Magic Johnson, have lauded Reaves’ poise and leadership and argued the offense should run through him more often. The hot streak has carried into NBA Cup play as the Lakers enter a matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies off momentum from close wins. At the same time, the team has addressed recurring third-quarter lapses, making halftime adjustments that helped power a 128-110 home victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.