Austin Reaves (51 points) is having the game of his life in Sacramento

Despite the combined absences of Luka Dončić and LeBron James, Kings fans were not disappointed with the spectacle associated with the arrival of the Lakers. The third strong man of the house “Purple & Gold”, Austin Reaveshe was responsible for getting the most out of it, scoring a career-high 51 points in his team’s narrow victory (120-127).

It was he who was responsible for closing the debate in the final moments by drawing another foul below the circle to give the Lakers a two-possession lead with 30 seconds left. In the process, Dennis Schroder missed a perfect layup, and the same Reaves made one last call to the penalty line.

Where the latter spent a good part of his evening (21/22!) and where he was able to cross this legendary bar of 50 units. At the break, he was already at 21 points, but the main creator of his team also distributed a lot this evening. Especially according to his lieutenant due to circumstances, Deandre Ayton, the author of his best game in the Lakers jersey (22 points and 15 rebounds).

Austin Reeves’ crazy streak

The former Suns center was much more active inside than his direct opponent, Domantas Sabonis, hampered by fouls and generally poorly served by the backcourt. Local guards in good shape, between Zach LaVine (32 points), DeMar DeRozan (21) or the first from the house across the street, Russell Westbrook. Not enough, however, to take the lead in this part where Los Angeles led the score for a long time, despite the perfect tie going into the locker room (62-62).

However, Sacramento thought it was in control early in the fourth quarter, after the pick-and-pop ended with a game-winning layup by Sabonis that gave the Kings a two-possession lead (101-97). The Lakers’ response, especially from Austin Reaves, was terrible: a 3-point basket to sanction a “coverage drop” on the other side, a “step back” from the same distance in front of DeRozan, then another game-winning shot in front of the stoic Schroeder.

The Golden 1 center was stunned (101-108). Zach LaVine tried to respond, Jake LaRavia signed some good minutes to maintain a cushion for the Lakers who eventually won, in a matchup where the two teams relied on eight-man rotations.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

– Austin Reaves is not playable. In 40 years, only three players finished with such statistics of at least 50 points, 11 rebounds and 9 assists: James Harden (twice), his former teammate Russell Westbrook (twice) and current teammate Luka Doncic. With his little gem, Austin Reeves is thus called to the elite that has not been seen in the history of the Lakers since 1963. One February evening, Elgin Baylor recorded 50 points, 15 rebounds and 11 caviar in a match against the Celtics.

– Division on free throws. The Lakers were targeting Luka Doncic who missed free throw at the end of the match against the Wolvesblocking his counter at 49 units. Reaves did it again tonight, surpassing that mark based on a huge ratio at the line. So huge that the guard shot more free throws by himself than the entire opposing team (12/18)…

– Russell Westbrook is comfortable against his former team. After two discreet first outings with the Kings, the playmaker was undoubtedly motivated by the idea of ​​shining against one of his former teams. What he did with a copy of 18 points (6/12 shooting), 6 rebounds and 6 assists, however marred by bad passes at the famous free throw line (2/6).

https://vvv.youtube.com/vatch?v=bNhvTOkK8J4