In a city full of stars, including LeBron James and now Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves still stole the show.
With James and Doncic both out Saturday, Reaves took over for the Los Angeles Lakers in a 124-117 win against the Indiana Pacers. Reaves was also nearly sidelined with a sore left elbow, but with the Lakers' two superstars out, he suited up anyway and was obviously good to go.
Reaves led all scorers with a career-high 45 points while playing a team-high 41 minutes. For a franchise that has LeBron James, it was the most points a Laker has scored in the past two seasons. Reaves drained four 3-pointers while adding seven rebounds and seven assists.
Names like James, Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant and now Reaves are the only Lakers to have at least 45 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in a game.
45 points
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 8, 2025
7 assists
1 sleeve
No limits pic.twitter.com/AmbXAZ3ZXH
It's been a heck of a February for Reaves so far. He's averaging 27.4 points a game this month and has put up at least 20 points in every outing.
Even with James and Doncic both in the lineup for the first time Monday night against the Utah Jazz, Reaves still scored 22. James led the Lakers with 24 points, while Doncic scored 14 in his Lakers debut.
Those numbers are expected from James and Doncic every night, though. Reaves was never expected to be on the same court as superstars like that.
After two seasons at Wichita State, Reaves transferred to Oklahoma in 2019 and sat out because of NCAA transfer rules (back when there were transfer rules). When he finally got to play in 2020, he finished the season on the Big 12 All-Newcomer Team and was First-Team All-Big 12 in 2021.
Still with another year of eligibility left, Reaves declared for the 2021 NBA Draft but went undrafted. The Lakers then signed him and he made his NBA debut that season. In 2023, Reaves signed a reported four-year, $54 million contract with the Lakers.
Reaves has went from undrafted to contributing with LeBron James and Luka Doncic.