The injury bug has hit a few teams right at the beginning of the 2025-26 NBA season, but no team has suffered more than the Los Angeles Lakers. They were already without LeBron James going into the season and now will suffer from the absence of Luka Doncic for an extended period of time. Luckily, Austin Reaves has kept the team afloat, including a 51-point performance.
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Last season, it became widely accepted that Reaves had developed into the best third option in the NBA. He went on to have a career year across the board, averaging 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game. The Lakers hoped he would make another jump, but nobody could’ve expected him to start the season in this fashion.
Reaves had no inclination that he would assume the responsibilities of the number one option to begin the season. Los Angeles was already suffering from depth issues at full health. Now with injuries to LeBron and Doncic, nobody would have blamed them if they had dropped a few points. But Reaves has single handled ensured that won’t be the case.
The 6-foot-5 guard is currently averaging 34.2 points, 10.0 assists and 5.6 rebounds per game. His performance in the last five games has propelled the Lakers to a 3-2 record on the year. Their most recent victory came last night against the Minnesota Timberwolves, where Reaves put forth 28 points and 16 assists, while connecting on the game-winning buzzer beater.
ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith couldn’t help but give praise to Reaves for the job he has done so far. “I’ve got a lot of love for Austin Reaves,” Smith proclaimed on ESPN’s First Take. “The brother can play.” While Smith has been more than happy to give Reaves his flowers, he doesn’t believe all the credit goes to the Lakers’ guard.
A few nights ago against Sacramento Kings, Reaves put on a show en route to a career-high 51 points. Yet, it failed to impress Smith, who blamed the Kings’ defense for it.
“I thought it was embarrassing the other night when the Sacramento Kings let the brother roll up and drop 51 as the number one option. It’s one thing when you can score because you’ve got Luka and LeBron on the court. You could be a decoy. But when neither of them are there and the Sacramento Kings let you drop 51, that’s a reflection on that franchise,” Smith professed.
Reaves won’t be too bothered though. He seems to be enjoying the luxury LeBron and Doncic’s absence from the team has allowed him. The Lakers will hope he can continue taking advantage of the situation in the matches to come.
