Austin Reaves ‘plays the game’ according to JJ Redick in win against Clippers

LOS ANGELES – After a late mistake that included a turnover that gave the LA Clippers a chance to tie the game, Los Angeles Lakers emerged with the victory, 125-122, after Nicolas Batum’s 3-point attempt missed the mark. The play was very high, but the biggest play of the game, according to the Lakers head coach JJ Redickcame from Austin Reaves on the defensive end.

With the Clippers trailing by three, 118-115, and less than two minutes to play, Benedict Maturin drove to the basket to give the Lakers the lead. But Austin Reeves beat him to the spot, charge extraction to the game and giving the Lakers some breathing room.

Luka Doncic misses in the clutch and Austin Reeves takes over from Benedikt Maturin at the other end, gets fouled (challenge unsuccessful)

With replays pic.twitter.com/mVKIvNKSMhKs

— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) February 21, 2026

Reaves tried to draw another charge that wasn’t called, and it would have been a game-defining play according to JJ Redick if it had gone in the Lakers’ favor.

“I thought the charge was the play of the game,” Redick said after the win. “Honestly, the second charge would have been a game play if they had made the right call, which they didn’t … it was a big play given the circumstances.”

The Clippers game was Reaves’ first game in the starting lineup since then he returned from a calf injury. He came off the bench while under a minutes restriction. At the Lakers’ practice Thursday afternoon, Redick acknowledged that Reaves will no longer be on a minutes restriction.

Reaves put in another All-Star caliber performance with 29 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals in 33 minutes. He shot 9 of 15 from the field, 4 of 5 from the 3-point line and a perfect 7 of 7 from the free throw line.

“He was fantastic tonight,” Redick said. “Other than two turnovers and a third down in traffic, he had a super efficient night.”

Entering Friday’s game, Reaves had appeared in 28 games this season, logging just over 33 minutes per game. He averaged 25.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.0 steals while shooting 50.8 percent from the field, 36.3 percent from the 3-point line and 86.7 percent from the free throw line.

Reaves was on pace to make his first All-Star appearance, but his unfortunate calf injury hampered his chances.

The Lakers have two more games on their current homestand, starting with a showdown against their historic rival in the Boston Celtics on Sunday. They will face the Orlando Magic on Tuesday before hitting the road to finish the month.