LeBron James and Austin Reaves turn back the clock, as LeBron James catches a nasty alley-oop from Reaves with 2:12 remaining in overtime. The electrifying moment, which was almost a throwback to James and Dwayne Wade‘s iconic alley-oop in Miami, took place during the recent Lakers-Clippers game. The possession happened late in the game after Reaves got a swipe on the ball, which resulted in Kawhi Leonard turning it over.
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As Reaves and LeBron sprinted downhill for the fast break, a leading Reaves passed the ball to a trailing LeBron for the jam. This possession, almost secured the Lakers the game, as they went up five points with 2:12 left on the clock.
Austin Reaves ⬆️ LeBron James to put the Lakers up 5 with 2:12 left in OT. Electric ✈️ pic.twitter.com/p2xzmEVWeW
— Michael Corvo (@michaelcorvoNBA) November 2, 2023
After securing the win against the Clippers, Reaves was asked about the alley-oop pass during a sideline interview. Responding to the question, Reaves said, “Someone’s gotta be open facing the double. It’s just about making the right play. I seen Bron in the high quad, and if I was a player, I wouldn’t leave Bron“.
AD & LeBron show Austin Reaves love after his clutch performance. pic.twitter.com/G4IHj3CM0Z
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) November 2, 2023
Reaves went into further detail about the alley-oop during the post-game press conference, “At no point (once) I got that ball did I think I was gonna shoot it. I seen him and I was gonna pass it the whole way“.
Austin Reaves on LeBron James skying for clutch lobs in Year 21:
“At this point nothing surprises me with him…It’s hard to imagine someone else working harder than him.”
“At no point (once) I got that ball did I think I was gonna shoot it. I seen him and I was gonna pass it… https://t.co/14ctPpmVPL pic.twitter.com/HSUkk567AU
— Michael Corvo (@michaelcorvoNBA) November 2, 2023
But it wasn’t just Reaves who was doing the hyping up. During LeBron’s post-game press conference, King James gave Reaves his props by saying, “Happy to be on the side with AR. One of my favorite guys, for sure“.
Moreover, Reaves does seem to be the favorite guy for the King as this is not the first time he hyped him up.
Bron has hyped Reaves in the past
Though it’s widely known that Reaves has thrown shade at LeBron during his younger days, it’s all love now, especially from Bron’s side. During Reaves’ sideline interview, both Anthony Davis and LeBron James were seen interrupting the interview, screaming, “Go win the ball game AR“.
But Bron has been hyping Reaves up for some time now. Ever since Reaves joined the Lakers, Bron has sent out a series of tweets, especially during the recent FIBA World Cup, giving his man AR props. During a game against Porto Rico, James tweeted “A-R you so COLD man!!! “.
A-R you so COLD man!!! 🫡🙏🏾👑 #TeamUSA🇺🇸
— LeBron James (@KingJames) August 8, 2023
In another tweet, which featured a picture of Austin Reaves and USA teammate Tyrese Halliburton, LeBron wrote, “Y’all tough this one!!!! “.
LeBron HYPES Reaves!!!! Love to see it pic.twitter.com/NmSF8eJ6OM
— NewsMan (@WhenInDoubt4242) August 21, 2023
With the Lakers now sitting in the 5th spot in the Western Conference with 3 wins and 2 losses, it would be interesting to see if LeBron and the Lakers can use this home win to fuel them for the upcoming schedule.