Austin Reaves drops career-high 35 points in pivotal Lakers win

Former Sooner Austin Reaves had the NBA world buzzing after his career-high 35 points helped propel the Lakers to a big win.

Despite his small-town Arkansas roots, Austin Reaves is shining bright in one of the world’s most visible cities playing for the most iconic basketball franchise in the world.

The former Oklahoma Sooner is a natural hooper and has become a big-time player for the Los Angeles Lakers.

In a frustrating season that has had its ups and downs, the Lakers are still pushing for the playoffs. The Lakers’ playoff hopes will come down to the final few games of the regular season.

One of basketball’s greatest players, LeBron James, suffered an injury that has had him sidelined for a few weeks. With James out, other Lakers have been pushed into the spotlight. When the Lakers entered the waning moments of yet another must-win game Sunday evening, the undrafted second-year guard dubbed “Hillbilly Kobe” had the ball in his hands instead of a top 25 player like Anthony Davis.

And he delivered.

Reaves went deep into his bag, scoring the Lakers’ last 10 points over the final 1:33 of a 111-105 win over the Orlando Magic. The win kept LA’s head above water in their pursuit of a playoff spot.

Reaves finished with a career-high 35 points, and chants of “M-V-P! M-V-P!” could be heard through Crypto.Com Arena. To go along with his 35 points, Reaves tossed in six rebounds and six assists. He was nails from the charity stripe going 16-for-18.

His craftiness was on full display as drives to the basket, floaters, spot-up threes, and fadeaway jumpers were all ways he got buckets against Magic defenders.

Anthony Davis, one of the Lakers’ superstar players and the man responsible for carrying the load nightly in the absence of LeBron James, was in awe after the game. “He carried us tonight with his play,” Davis said. “He got whatever he wanted, pick-and-rolls, 3s, got to the line 18 times. We know what we have in Austin. We’re very confident in him,”

As things currently stand, LeBron James won’t be back until the end of the regular season at best. That means more opportunities for Reaves to to be the Robin to Anthony Davis’ Batman. But on this night, Reaves played the role of the caped crusader.

He’ll be a restricted free agent after the season. The Lakers can match any contract offer given to Reaves. With the blessing from the team’s superstars, LeBron and Anthony Davis, Reaves is more than welcome to rejoin the team next year.

Shams Charania, the big-time NBA insider from The Athletic and Stadium, believes that his marketplace is the Lakers’ maximum possible offer of four years and $50 million.

He could be offered more on the market, but the Lakers will have the right to match. Reaves would be a valuable and appreciated player on a roster with only four players on the books for next season: LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Max Christie.

Reaves is the only guard with meaningful NBA experience in that particular scenario. This season he’s averaging 12 points, 3 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 54 games. He’s shooting 51.8 percent from the floor and 38.0 percent from deep. He’ll not only be a priority free agent re-signing for the Lakers, but NBA teams needing guard help will look to lure the rising star away from Hollywood.

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