After a loss to the Brooklyn Nets on March 10, Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves called himself out for his own poor shooting in the defeat, saying that he needs to "play better." Since that loss, Reaves has scored at least 28 points in four straight games—including two 30-point games in that span—while shooting 52.9% from the field.
And the display has left Lakers teammate Luka Doncic in awe of Reaves.
Speaking to reporters after the Lakers' 125–109 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Monday, Doncic heaped praise on Reaves, whom he called an "amazing player."
"I mean this guy just scored 30 in his fourth game in five days," Doncic said when asked what he likes about how Reaves approaches the game. "That explains everything. He's an amazing player. For him to go undrafted is—unbelievable. It's not easy to go undrafted and then play at this level. It's amazing just to be by his side."
Reaves indeed went undrafted back in 2021, as his camp told NBA teams not to select him in the draft so as to better position him for both team and personal success. He signed a two-way contract with the Lakers back in August of '21, appearing in 61 games in his first season in Los Angeles. Over the course of the next three seasons, Reaves upped his scoring average each year while developing into a dependable playmaker alongside the likes of LeBron James and former Lakers big man Anthony Davis.
Now, Reaves, alongside Doncic, has become a primary option for the Lakers as they navigate the absence of James, who has missed the last five games due to a groin injury.
And his teammates have certainly noticed Reaves carrying the heavier load these last few games. The Lakers (42–25) will next take on the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Luka Doncic Was in Awe Of Austin Reaves After Another 30-Point Game for Lakers .
