The Los Angeles Lakers have now won two straight games. JJ Redick successfully guided the team past LeBron James’ absence, helping them break out of their slump. Dorian Finney-Smith and Jordan Goodwin played key roles in restoring the defensive balance that once defined the Lakers. Meanwhile, Austin Reaves stepped up and delivered an impressive offensive performance. This led Luka Doncic to praise his impact.
Following the victory over the San Antonio Spurs, Luka Doncic took a moment to praise Austin Reaves‘ standout performance: “I mean, this guy just scored 30 in his fourth game in five games…He’s an amazing player. For him to go undrafted is unbelievable. It’s not easy to go undrafted and play at this level.”
Reaves took advantage of the opportunities created by the Anthony Davis trade and Luka’s brief adjustment period. This allowed him to showcase his true potential. As a result, he has become one of the franchise’s most promising young talents.
Over his last four NBA games, Reaves has scored 28 or more points in each contest. He has provided crucial offensive support alongside Doncic. In addition to his scoring, Reaves has impressed with his defensive skills, further proving his versatility.
Austin Reaves went undrafted in 2021, but the Los Angeles Lakers took a chance on him. That decision has paid off in a big way. Few expected him to perform at this level, but JJ Redick deserves credit for unlocking his best form. In the 2024-25 NBA season, Reaves is averaging 19.6 points, 6.0 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game. He has also shooting 44.6% from the field and 36.6% from three-point range, proving his value as a key contributor for the Lakers.
Austin Reaves receives high praise from another Lakers teammate
Austin Reaves’ form has impressed more than just Luka Doncic and the fans. Jordan Goodwin also praised his performance with some surprising comments: “I always liked AR, he came out of college and everything like that…He’s our third option, but he’s better than most 1’s and most 2’s in the league, so we gotta keep putting respect on AR’s name, because he’s him. He’s one of them ones.”
Reaves has made a major impact on the franchise this season. Jordan Goodwin believes he has already proven he can lead a team. He pointed to Reaves’ impressive performance against Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets. Goodwin also praised Reaves for improving with each game.