Austin Reaves’ 2-word mic drop after loss to Suns

Los Angeles The Lakers suffered their third straight loss following their 113-110 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Thursday. The game ended in a similar fashion to the team’s loss to the Orlando Magic on Tuesday, as their late game execution just didn’t work. When asked after the game where the Lakers’ frustration lies, Austin Reaves summed up in just two words, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.

“Very high,” Reaves stated during his postgame media sessions.

The difference between the Magic’s game and Thursday night was that the Lakers ended up making the late-game shot they wanted. Against the Magic, Luka Doncic broke free of a Deandre Ayton screen and took the potential game-winner. In a confusing moment, he passed the ball to LeBron James which was forced into a hasty fade.

Trailing by three against the Suns and looking to send the game into overtime, Austin Reaves ran through a series of screens to break free in the corner for an open 3-pointer. Marcus Smart found it, but his shot was a little off.

As in the Magic game, the Lakers took a double-digit lead in the second half, only to watch the Suns come back and storm ahead. When the game completes a series of sections, then all the little things add up. For Reaves, there were plenty of mistakes by the Lakers on the rim that could have changed the outcome had they been better, according to Khoba Price of the California Post.

“Control the controls. There were a couple of plays tonight where I felt like if we were better, then it could change the game,” Reaves said. “Every possession counts. It sounds like a cliché because there are so many, but it can swing a game in any direction the whole game. One little play, one little mistake can ignite the crowd, ignite the team, whatever it is. Control those controls.”

Against the Suns, Reaves finished with 14 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals. It was just his third game in the starting lineup since his minutes restriction was lifted after returning from a calf injury.

The Lakers’ mini road trip ends with a visit to the Golden State Warriors on Saturday. The team will then return home for the second straight night with the Sacramento Kings in town on Sunday night.