The LA Lakers picked up a crucial 111-105 win over the Orlando Magic on Sunday night, led by second-year shooting guard Austin Reaves. Reaves finished with a game-high and career-high 35 points to go along with six rebounds and six assists on 64.3% shooting.
Following the game, Lakers coach Darvin Ham raved about Reaves’ ability to make big plays in critical moments.
“I thought it was him being his normal self, what he’s been all year. Coming up in clutch moments for us, trying to make plays downhill, putting the defense in uncomfortable positions with his ability to attack the paint and draw fouls. So he was great,” Ham said.
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“He's a hell of a player. Happy he's on our team and we damn sure needed him tonight.”
Lakers star forward Anthony Davis added a double-double for LA with 15 points, 11 rebounds, two steals and four blocks.
Meanwhile, Orlando was led by rising stars Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero, who chipped in 21 points apiece.
Following their win, the Lakers (35-37, 10th in the West) have moved back into the final play-in position in the Western Conference. However, they are still tied in winning percentage (48.6%) with the 11th-placed Utah Jazz (34-36). They are also just half a game ahead of the 12th-placed New Orleans Pelicans (34-37).
So LA is not out of the woods just yet.
Meanwhile, Orlando (29-43) remains 13th in the Eastern Conference.
The Lakers will next play on Wednesday against the Phoenix Suns (38-33, fourth in the West). The Magic, meanwhile, will be in action on Tuesday as they take on the Washington Wizards (32-39, 12th in the East).
Austin Reaves on hearing MVP chants from Lakers fans
Following the LA Lakers’ win over the Orlando Magic, Austin Reaves was asked how it felt to hear MVP chants from Lakers fans in the fourth quarter. Reaves explained that he’s just grateful that his hard work is being recognized.
“Every time I take the court, I play with a sense of urgency. I leave it all out on the floor. Because that’s just how I feel basketball should be played,” Reaves said.
“For them to recognize what I do — obviously not an MVP-caliber player, those guys are really good — but for them to do that for me, it’s special. It means a lot to me. So shout out to Lakers nation.”
Reaves is averaging 11.6 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game this season while shooting 51.3%, including 38.3% from beyond the arc.
"We damn sure needed him tonight" - Darvin Ham is all praise for Austin Reaves, who carried the LA Lakers against the Magic - Sportskeeda
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