The Los Angeles Lakers earned a dramatic 116-115 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night, thanks to another clutch performance from Austin Reaves. Playing without both Luka Doncic (leg/finger injury) and LeBron James (sciatica) for the third straight game, Reaves once again led the team with poise and confidence.
The Lakers moved the ball well early, built a four-point halftime lead, and held on late as Reaves took charge in the final moments. His effort was key to giving Los Angeles its third win of the season despite missing their two biggest stars, as he continues to shine as the team’s lead scorer and playmaker in their absence.
Reaves started the night with eight points and five assists in the opening quarter and continued to control the game’s pace. He totaled 12 more points in the next two quarters and dished out nine key assists as the Lakers maintained their edge.
When Minnesota rallied to take the lead with seconds left, Reaves responded by driving into the lane and hitting a floater at the buzzer to seal the win. He finished with 28 points, 16 assists, and two steals: his third double-double of the season.
After the game, the NBA highlighted just how impressive Reaves’ start has been by announcing his latest historic feat on X. Through five games, he is averaging 34.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 10.0 assists, becoming only the third player ever to record at least 170 points and 50 assists through the first five games of a season. He’s also the first Laker since Jerry West in 1970-71 to score 25 or more points and five or more assists in each of the first five games.
In the season-opener against the Golden State Warriors, Reaves posted 26 points and nine assists, then followed with a 25-point double-double against Minnesota. In his first game this season without James and Doncic, Reaves exploded for 51 points and 11 rebounds versus the Sacramento Kings, before adding 41 points, five assists, four rebounds, and three steals against the Portland Trail Blazers. With his performance on Wednesday, Reaves continues to enjoy the strongest start of his five-year career.
With the win, the Lakers improved to 3-2 and continue to rely heavily on Reaves while their stars recover. They’ll next hit the road to face the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday in what will also serve as their NBA Cup debut. Tip-off is set for 9:30 pm ET.
