Reaves said he was texting with Luka Donฤiฤ this morning - typical trash talk, which is their dynamic - and Luka told him he needed 60 tonight.
Reaves ended up with 51, but itโs enough to โhold over his head,โ especially since Donฤiฤ got stuck on 49 last game.
Mike Trudell
1,155 posts
Beat reporter for @Lakers; @SpectrumSN ๐บ sideline reporter/host/analyst; PXP ๐; @NorthwesternU alum; IG: @MikeTrudell.
- Deandre Ayton is controlling the center matchup tonight: Ayton: 17 points, 9 boards, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block Sabonis: 2 points, 9 boards, 3 assists, 2 steals
- Luka Donฤiฤ is the 2nd player in NBA history to start a season with 3 straight games of at least 40 points, joining Wilt Chamberlain, who did it in 1962-63 (first 7 games) and 1961-62 (first 5 games).
- Ayton on LeBron: "I always thought of him as a leader. It was always like a movie playing against 'Bron. Now I'm his teammate, it's surreal. Talking basketball with him? It's not a dream no more."
- After dropping 51 and 41 in his last two games, Austin Reaves finished with 28 points after beating the buzzer with a tough floater through a pack of Wolves in the paint, on top of a career-high tying 16 assists with Minnesota sending the full house at him all night. What a run
00:00 - Austin Reaves just dropped his first 50-piece.
- Adou Thiero has been cleared for live on-court contact work, with 5-on-5 coming next. Heโs been assigned to South Bay. JJ Redick said heโs excited about how Thiero can eventually impact the Lakers with his size, athleticism and motor.
- Last 3 times LeBron and Luka didn't play, and Austin Reaves did: Feb. 8 vs. IND: 45 points, 7 assists March 14 vs. DEN: 37 points, 13 assists Tonight vs. SAC: 45 points, 9 assists (4:36 to play)
- Updated: Last 3 times LeBron and Luka didn't play, and Austin Reaves did: Feb. 8, 2025 vs. IND: 45 points, 7 assists March 14 vs. DEN: 37 points, 13 assists Oct. 26 vs. SAC: 51 points, 9 assists, 11 boardsLast 3 times LeBron and Luka didn't play, and Austin Reaves did: Feb. 8 vs. IND: 45 points, 7 assists March 14 vs. DEN: 37 points, 13 assists Tonight vs. SAC: 45 points, 9 assists (4:36 to play)
- What a win for the Lakers, without Luka/LeBron/Reaves/Vincent, getting in at 3 am on the 2nd night of a B2B, getting a 4th straight win to improve to 6-2 overall and 4-0 on the road. Nick Smith Jr: 25P, 5 of 6 from 3 Deandre Ayton: 29P, 10R, 3B Rui Hachimura: 28P, 4R
- Luka Donฤiฤ is the first Laker, and 4th player in NBA history, to open the season with consecutive 40-point games. ย 2025-26: Luka 2016-17: Anthony Davis 1986-87: Michael Jordan 1962-63: Wilt Chamberlain (first 7 games) 1961-62: Wilt Chamberlain (first 5)
- A fifth straight win for the Lakers puts their record at 7-2, one game back of 8-1 OKC in the West. Theyโve done it shorthanded most nights, missing either Donฤiฤ (4 games missed) or Reaves (2 games) and LeBron (yet to play).Another BIG night for Luka
- Luka Donฤiฤ will sit out the first two preseason games, in part due to his run with Slovenia at EuroBasket. The Lakers and the performance team want to take the long view as he ramps up to the regular season opener.



