Austin Reeves makes Los Angeles history with an electric start

ByNBAUSA



Austin Reaves helped lead Los Angeles Lakers to a 116-115 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves with a victory hover on the buzzer. The moment was a key part of an elite performance in which he dropped 28 points and recorded 16 assists.

Reaves enjoyed a strong start until the new season, and he entered history in the process.

According to the NBA, Reaves is only the third player ever to record 170+ points and 50+ assists in the first 5 games. In addition, the 27-year-old became the seventh player to record 25+ points and 5+ assists in each of the first 5 games of a season, and the only Laker to do so since Jerry West in 1970-71.

Native of Arkansas he stepped up while All-Star teammates LeBron James and Luka Doncic dealt with injuries. Through the first five games of the season, he averaged 34.2 points and 10 assists while shooting roughly 53 percent from the field.

“Obviously we know how good he is, if he’s a first, second, third, fourth option, whatever,” Lakers forward Jared Vanderbilt told Dan Voick of The Athletic. “But for now, for the world to see what we already knew – obviously we don’t want anyone to get hurt, but when injuries happen, this gives people an opportunity to show other things – he’s just proving what he could do with it.”

Lakers head coach JJ Redick said Reaves has already made a name for himself as a player and has also made significant strides as a leader this season.

“He’s established himself as a bad guy. He did that last year. I think around the league he’s looked at as a really good player. Maybe some people looked at him — what rank, I don’t know. I don’t care about that. But last year, I think he showed himself to be a bad guy,” Redick said. “He’s done it. For me, I think the big thing is that he’s established himself as a leader. He’s one of the leaders — or the leader — on the field. And that’s a big moment. That’s what we want. That’s what we need from him, and he’s done that.”

Reaves is off to a hot start, and it will be interesting to see how his role develops once James and Doncic return.





2025-10-30 15:51:00

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