All NBA eyes were on Austin Reaves after his 51-point performance

Of all the superstars in the NBA, it was Los Angeles Lakers guard and former Oklahoma standout Austin Reaves who had the spotlight on Sunday.

Reaves posted a career-high 51 points in the Lakers’ 127-120 road win against the Sacramento Kings. It was the second-most points a player has scored in a single game so far this young season, but the Oklahoma
City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander needed two overtimes to reach 55 points against the Indiana Pacers.

Austin Reaves scores career-high in Lakers win

On top of the 50-piece, Reaves also had 11 rebounds and nine assists. He’s only the fourth player in the last 40 years with at least 50 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists in a game, according to ESPN stats.

Most of Reaves’ damage came from beyond the arch while making six of 10 3-pointers, including the 500th of his career. He was 12-for-22 from the field overall.

The Lakers had to have Reaves step up without injured All-Star Luka Doncic. Reaves not only rose to the occasion in scoring, but also in the clutch to elevate the Lakers to 2-1. He made four free throws in the final 32 seconds to secure the win.

With the performance, Reaves is now third in the entire NBA in points per game (34) and total points (102) through three games. He tallied 26 points in the Lakers’ season opener, then 25 in the next outing. His total then basically doubled as the offensive leader with Doncic sidelined.

The Lakers will get right back at it possibly without Doncic again against the Portland Trail Blazers at 9:30 p.m. CT Monday. Reaves will return to the Sooner State on Nov. 12 when the Thunder host the Lakers.