Lakers’ Reaves Unveils ‘Blacked Out’ Moment, Praises ‘Monstrous’ Jake LaRavia
In a thrilling match on Wednesday, Austin Reaves led the Los Angeles Lakers to a narrow 116-115 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. His buzzer-beater floater solidified the win, marking vital success for the team.
Austin Reaves’ ‘Blacked Out’ Moment
Reaves, reflecting on his standout performance, admitted that he “kind of probably blacked out” as the ball went through the net. “I don’t remember seeing the ball going in the basket,” he stated. His emotions ran high as teammates celebrated the victory.
Reaves’ Leadership Shines
Lakers head coach JJ Redick praised Reaves as a key player, describing him as a “bad dude” for his impressive contributions on the court. “He’s established himself as one of the leaders on the court,” Redick said, highlighting Reaves’ impact this season.
- Austin Reaves: 28 points, 16 assists (second double-double of the season)
- Jake LaRavia: 27 points, a significant improvement from his previous game
Reaves credited his teammates for the win, especially LaRavia, who he described as “monstrous” in his performance. LaRavia, responding to a rough outing in a prior game against the Portland Trail Blazers, received uplifting encouragement from Reaves: “Keep your head up big dog… You’re open. We need you right now.”
Challenges Ahead for the Lakers
The Lakers face potential challenges as LeBron James is expected to be sidelined for up to a month due to a back issue. Luka Dončić is also out with a sprained finger. This loss may significantly affect the team’s quest for a top playoff seed.
Despite these hurdles, Reaves has stepped up in a major way, averaging impressive stats early in the season. As he recognized the need to shoulder more responsibility in scoring and playmaking, his contributions could be critical for the Lakers’ aspirations in the highly competitive Western Conference.
