Skip to main content

VIDEO: Austin Reaves Reveals How He Stole The Spotlight From LeBron James With The Final Play Against The Warriors


Austin ReavesAustin Reaves (Image Credit: X/@Lakers)

Austin Reaves emerged as the unexpected hero in the Los Angeles Lakers' 115-113 Christmas Day victory over the Golden State Warriors. What might have looked like absolute cinema was when he stole the spotlight by executing a game-winning layup that the team initially designed for LeBron James.

In a post-game revelation, Reaves admitted that he took a bold risk by opting to drive to the basket himself instead of deferring to his superstar teammate. The stakes were high in a closely contested matchup, and with the clock winding down. Reaves recognized a critical opening that led him to seize the moment and ultimately deliver a memorable win for his team. The young guard shared the value of the win as it came on Christmas.

"Man, I'mma be honest with y'all. That last play was not for me. It was for Bron. But I got the opportunity to go win us a game. That's what ended up happening. That's a big win for the team. Huge win. It's Christmas Day." Reaves said. 

"I remember growing up watching Christmas Day games with my family." @SixtUSA | #LakersWin pic.twitter.com/CIwaed2iPm

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) December 26, 2024

The Arkansas-born NBA star openly acknowledged the weight of his decision. He ignored the play call for LeBron, which could have backfired and left him pointed out had he failed. Although, he had an impressive performance last night. The star guard scored a triple-double of 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.

Also Read: REPORT: Dallas Mavericks Get Brutal Calf Injury Update On Luka Doncic

As much as we talk about the final moment of wonder, the whole game remained a matter of personal significance for the Lakers guard. Reaves has always looked up to fill the gap in the team if any of the top-line superstars gets down with an injury. In addition to scoring the match-winning layup and achieving a triple-double, Reaves got his family hooked on the game.

He stepped up in a big way after Anthony Davis went down with an injury. In the aftermath, Reaves opened up about the powerful emotions he felt. He acknowledged that he usually doesn't get choked up, but Christmas, his family watching from afar, and the moment's thrill nearly brought him to tears. He reflected on how lucky he felt to be in this position. Austin also emphasized how much it means to have his loved ones cheering him on while he lives out his dreams.

"I'm not really an emotional person. But when I was doing radio out there… Got the game ball, and threw it to D-Lo, there was a quick second where I thought I might tear up. That doesn't happen a lot. But it's Christmas. I know my parents are back home watching, my brother is probably in Germany right now… All my people back home are locked in and sitting around watching the game," he said after the game. 

"I thought I might tear up."

Austin Reaves got emotional thinking about his journey and all the love and support from his family on #NBAXmas šŸ’› pic.twitter.com/tgMNrr6uaU

— NBA (@NBA) December 26, 2024

What makes Austin's performance even more remarkable is how he has transformed into a vital piece of the Lakers' puzzle. Initially, the plan was for LeBron James to take the last shot, but Reaves' instinct to drive to the basket proved to be the right call. With consistent averages of 17.0 points, 4.9 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game, Reaves has become an indispensable part of the team's future. 

Also Read: 76ers Star Joel Embiid Breaks Silence On His Ankle Injury Scare During Pre-Game Workout

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

NBA Monday Morning Shootaround: LeBron James, The Hunger Games, and More - Bleacher Report

Welcome to the "Monday Morning Shootaround," Bleacher Report's recap of the weekend that was in the NBA. Along with getting you caught up on the weekendĆ¢€™s playoff action, weĆ¢€™ll give you a sneak preview of what could potentially be the greatest basketball book of all time, show you the best 70-year-old playground superstar ever, and tell you about a young star that just might choose religion over the fame and fortune of the NBA. The Opening Tip * ABC cameras caught LeBron James reading The Hunger Games before the Miami Heat played the Indiana Pacers on Sunday. Shortly thereafter, the Miami Heat small forward proceeded to go into full Katniss Everdeen mode to the tune of 40 points, 18 rebounds and nine assists as the Heat pulled out a hard-fought 101-93 victory. After a slow start, Heat guard Dwyane Wade finished with 30 points, nine rebounds and six assists of his own. But Sunday afternoon was all about James and his gaudy numbers, virtually all of which we...
Post a Comment
Read more

Breaking Down the Differences Between LeBron James and Kevin Durant - Bleacher Report

LeBron James and Kevin Durant are being coined as "the future of the NBA 's next generation." That is certainly true, but they aren't exactly on the same level. LeBron and Durant are two different players, who bring varying skills to different facets of the game. Instead of just comparing them in a "who's the best" fashion, let's take a minute and break down which player excels in each and every facet of the game of basketball. Ahead is a breakdown of the differences that exist between LeBron and Durant.Ƃ  Scoring Ronald Martinez/Getty Images LeBron 2011-12 Per-Game Stats: 27.1 points, 53.1 FG%, 36.3 3P%, 77.1 FT% Durant 2011-12 Per-Game Stats: 28.0 points, 49.6 FG%, 38.7 3P%, 86.0 FT% Scoring is what Kevin Durant does. It's not only his specialty, it's also what makes him such a dangerous and elite player. With that being said, LeBron isn't exactly a slouch on the offensive side of the...
Post a Comment
Read more

Luka Dončić joins LeBron James, Magic Johnson and Jerry West as only Lakers to post 30 points and 15 assists in a game

LeBron James joined a club of one on Tuesday , while Luka Dončić joined a club of four. With 30 points and a Lakers career-high 15 assists, Luka Dončić became only the fourth player in Lakers history to post those totals in a single game in a 136-115 win over the New Orleans Pelicans. The other three: James, Magic Johnson and Jerry West. We'll call that a solid group. That performance included a stretch of three straight 3-pointers to set the tone in the first quarter. It was once again the LeBron and Dončić (LeBrončić?) show, as Dončić's co-star posted 34 points on 10-of-18 shooting, eight rebounds and six assists. Center Jaxson Hayes also had one of the best games of his Lakers career, scoring 19 points on a perfect 8-of-8 shooting plus 10 rebounds. Dončić was two points away from tying his Lakers career high in points as well, and likely would have gotten it had L.A. not taken its foot off the gas in the fourth quarter. After a back-and-forth first half in which the P...
Post a Comment
Read more