The Los Angeles Lakers confronted the Boston Celtics without their top two players, LeBron James and Anthony Davis, both sidelined in the same game for the first time this season due to lower-body injuries.
The Lakers faced the team with the best record in the NBA and managed to secure a 114-105 victory, propelled by an outstanding performance from Austin Reaves.
Reaves delivered a remarkable display, scoring 32 points, including a career-high seven three-pointers, to lead the Lakers to triumph over their longtime rivals. Despite the Celtics attempting to mount comebacks, Reaves consistently responded, silencing the TD Garden crowd. In the fourth quarter, Boston never came closer than six points to the Lakers’ lead.
The third-year guard has showcased his prowess in the last two games, accumulating a total of 60 points. Despite being a sought-after player ahead of the February 8 trade deadline, the Lakers have demonstrated their reluctance to part with him, evident in his recent impactful performances.
Social media was ablaze with praise for Reaves’ dominant showing against the league’s top team:
Josiah Johnson @KingJosiah54: Austin Reaves with LeBron and AD out
Austin Reaves with LeBron and AD out pic.twitter.com/yZoxPhwozt
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) February 2, 2024
NBA @NBA: Austin Reaves hoists from DEEP ๐ฒ
28 PTS
7 3PM (career high)
Lakers-Celtics on TNT
Austin Reaves hoists from DEEP ๐ฒ
28 PTS
7 3PM (career high)Lakers-Celtics on TNT pic.twitter.com/PFuBVe2AEJ
— NBA (@NBA) February 2, 2024
Legion Hoops @LegionHoops: Austin Reaves has 7 threes in 3 quarters.
On fire ๐ฅ
Austin Reaves has 7 threes in 3 quarters.
On fire ๐ฅ pic.twitter.com/bWZX0oMqbU
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) February 2, 2024
Mamba @MambaCelts: Austin Reaves is cooking us pic.twitter.com/Lz3HuNsZ5e
ZIGG๐ซง @ziggziah: Austin Reaves without LeBron holding him back
Jalen Green whenever he plays the Lakers pic.twitter.com/DEBXMGBe9u
— BeastBron๐๐ (@bronisabeast) January 30, 2024
Ethan Shirazi @Ethanshirazi24: Austin Reaves is absolutely fire๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ
Austin Reaves is absolutely fire๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ pic.twitter.com/ERywGRU1wz
— Ethan Shirazi (@Ethanshirazi24) February 2, 2024
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter: Back-to-back games scoring 28 points for Austin Reaves, with 12 minutes to go here, as his 7th triple of the night helped keep LAL on top, at 88-78.
Lakers Nation @LakersNation: AUSTIN REAVES IS ON FIRE
๐๐ต๐ถ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ขโ @Stunna999_CELTICS: ON FRAUD WATCH, REAVES FRYING ๐ญ๐
GoldenKnight @GoldenKnightGFX: AUSTIN REAVES IS UNTOUCHABLE
Although the Lakers have struggled for consistency this season, granting Reaves an expanded role could prove pivotal in turning their fortunes around.
With a record of 25-25, Los Angeles should consider providing Reaves with more opportunities even when James and Davis return to the lineup. The Lakers aim to maintain their momentum when they face the New York Knicks on Saturday night.
