Austin Reaves’ career-high 38 points amaze NBA fans in LeBron, Lakers’ win vs. Nets | News, results, highlights, stats and rumours

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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 5: LeBron James #23 and Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers prior to the start of the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Crypto.com Arena on January 5, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. NOTICE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and or using this photograph, User consents to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

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On a night Anthony Davis sat out with plantar fasciitis in his left foot, the Los Angeles Lakers got a big boost from Austin Reaves in a 102-101 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Friday.

Reaves dropped a career-high 38 points on 13-of-23 shooting in 37 minutes.

The fourth quarter in particular was a showcase for Reaves and LeBron James. They combined for 25 of the Lakers’ 30 points in the final 12 minutes. James finished with 29 points, eight assists and seven total rebounds. No other player on the Lakers scored more than 10 points.

Davis was a late scratch Friday night, but head coach JJ Redick told reporters after the game, his “assumption” is the nine-time All-Star will be able to play Sunday against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Reaves stepped up his game to give the Lakers another potent scorer alongside James. His 38 points on Friday came two weeks after tying his previous career high of 35 points against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Dec. 31.

Fans were more than happy to heap praise on Reaves for helping the Lakers get a much-needed win:

Karin. @Karin Abcarians

stop putting austin reaves in your trade packs you heathens

claire de lune @ClaireMPLS

austin reaves continues his streak of rising to the occasion in games AD and/or lebron is absent

Reputation @JustRyCole

Austin Reaves plays at All-Star level rn

The smallest Laker fan @The PettiestLA

Austin Reaves is the truth.

While there has been some frustration with Reaves’ overall performance this season, there is no indication The Lakers are seriously considering trading him before the Feb. 6 deadline.

Reaves certainly makes it harder for the Lakers to trade him even if they wanted to. He is averaging 22.2 points on 40.6 percent three-point shooting, 8.9 assists and 5.3 rebounds per game in 10 starts since Dec. 25.

Putting those stats up against a Nets team that has already gone into sell mode by dealing Dennis Schröder and Dorian Finney-Smith — who are now on the Lakers — isn’t exactly an indication that Reaves is ready to take on top defense in the NBA.

Considering the Lakers planned to have Davis in this game most of the day before being thrown a late curveball, Reaves’ ability to step up on short notice was huge as they tried to stay out of the play- in-mixed.

The Lakers have won back-to-back games after their three-game losing streak. They are now sixth in the Western Conference with a 22-17 record entering Sunday’s matchup with the Clippers at the Intuit Dome.