Guard dominates with 35 points on efficient 12-for-17 shooting in just 25 minutes, erases 14-point deficit as Doncic exits with hamstring strain
Austin Reaves just reminded the Lakers why depth matters. With Luka Doncic sidelined after limping off in the second quarter Thursday night, Reaves seized the opportunity to deliver one of the most dominant reserve performances of the season. The guard erupted for 35 points on an absolutely efficient 12-for-17 shooting clip in just 25 minutes a masterclass in condensed offensive firepower that single-handedly erased a 14-point third-quarter deficit and propelled Los Angeles to a 119-115 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
What makes Reaves’ explosion even more impressive is the context surrounding it. He wasn’t operating at full strength. The guard was operating under a playing-time restriction as he continues ramping up from a lingering calf injury, meaning the Lakers were intentionally limiting his minutes for health and safety reasons. Despite that constraint, Reaves delivered championship-caliber numbers in a short window a performance that suggests the Lakers’ backup backcourt depth is far more formidable than the injury-ravaged roster initially suggested.
The contrast between Reaves’ explosive efficiency and the rest of the team’s output tells the story of Thursday’s win. LeBron James contributed a respectable 17 points and 10 assists but started slowly, going just 2-for-9 from the field early before settling into a more consistent rhythm. More concerning, James tied his season-high with eight turnovers, suggesting the offense still depends heavily on having a primary playmaker orchestrating the attack.
Depth becomes destiny when stars go down
This is exactly what the Lakers needed to see heading into a stretch where Doncic’s availability remains uncertain. The team announced Friday that Doncic has been ruled out of Saturday’s Warriors matchup (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC) due to a left hamstring strain suffered Thursday. Redick ordered an MRI Friday to evaluate the extent of the injury, though sources indicated that there’s optimism circulating that Doncic isn’t dealing with a major structural issue.
Reaves’ performance Thursday provides a template for how the Lakers can compete without their leading scorer. The 35-point explosion on 25 minutes of playing time demonstrates that the team’s second unit isn’t just competent—it’s potentially explosive when given the opportunity.
The fragmented roster chemistry problem
Of the 50 games the Lakers have played this season, Doncic, James, and Reaves have appeared together in just 10. That’s only 20% of the season, creating an ongoing chemistry challenge that Reaves’ individual performance Thursday couldn’t entirely mask. While Reaves was brilliant, James’ eight turnovers suggest the trio still hasn’t developed the seamless chemistry necessary to dominate over extended stretches.
Still, Thursday’s victory proves the Lakers can win even when their primary scorer is unavailable and the roster is operating in fragmented fashion. Reaves’ ability to shift into a lead-scoring role when needed provides crucial flexibility for a team that’s dealt with constant health and availability concerns all season.
What’s next for the Reaves redemption narrative
Looking ahead, Los Angeles faces a critical stretch: the Warriors on Saturday, Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday, San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday, and Doncic’s former team, the Dallas Mavericks, on Thursday. The All-Star Game next weekend at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles adds another layer of complexity to the schedule.
Doncic, who earned his sixth All-Star selection in eight seasons after leading all players in fan voting with more than 3.4 million votes, will miss Saturday’s Warriors game. His availability for the subsequent homestand remains unclear depending on how the hamstring responds to continued medical evaluation.
In the meantime, the Lakers acquired some additional depth. Guard Luke Kennard joined the team Thursday in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks, sending Gabe Vincent and a second-round pick to Atlanta. Kennard, who reported to the Lakers’ practice facility Friday to begin onboarding, is listed as questionable for Saturday’s Warriors game.
For now, Reaves’ 35-point explosion stands as proof that the Lakers‘ roster, despite its injury challenges, carries more firepower than the injury report suggests. When stars go down, role players step up and Thursday night, Reaves delivered championship-level performance exactly when the team needed it most.
