Austin Reaves Drops Career-High 38 Points as Los Angeles Lakers Edge Brooklyn Nets 102-101

LOS ANGELES — Austin Reaves delivered a career-high 38 points, and LeBron James added 29 as the Los Angeles Lakers narrowly defeated the Brooklyn Nets 102-101 on Friday night. The thrilling game saw the Lakers escape with the win after D’Angelo Russell missed a potential game-winning 3-pointer in the final seconds.

Reaves, who was in sensational form, shot 13-of-23 from the field and a perfect 8-of-8 from the free-throw line. His scoring clinic included 15 points in the fourth quarter, including key buckets that helped the Lakers secure their second straight victory.

Reaves and LeBron Carry the Load

With Anthony Davis sidelined due to plantar fasciitis, the Lakers leaned heavily on Reaves and LeBron. The duo combined for 67 points, accounting for more than half of the team’s total output. Reaves, showcasing his offensive versatility, drained three critical 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, while LeBron contributed seven rebounds and eight assists alongside his 29 points.

“This was a team win, but Austin was unbelievable,” said LeBron after the game. “He stepped up big time when we needed him most.”

Tight Battle in a Nail-Biter

The Nets vs. Lakers matchup was a tightly contested affair, with both teams exchanging leads throughout the game. The Lakers had a double-digit advantage in the second quarter, but the Nets clawed back, led by D’Angelo Russell’s 19 points and Noah Clowney’s clutch play. Clowney drained a late 3-pointer to make it a one-point game, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.

After Reaves missed a 3-pointer on the ensuing possession, the Nets had one last chance to steal the game. Russell, traded by the Lakers to the Nets, attempted a dagger against his former team but came up short as the buzzer sounded.

Brooklyn Nets vs. Lakers Match Player Stats

• Lakers Highlights:
  • Austin Reaves: 38 points, 13-23 FG, 8-8 FT, 4 rebounds
  • LeBron James: 29 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists
  • Jaxson Hayes: 6 points, 9 rebounds
  • Rui Hachimura: 10 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists
  • Gabe Vincent: 10 points, 2 assists
• Brooklyn Nets Highlights:
  • D’Angelo Russell: 19 points, 5 rebounds
  • Noah Clowney: 12 points, including clutch 3-pointers
  • Zaire Williams: 15 points
  • Tosan Evbuomwan: 15 points
  • Jalen Wilson: 11 points

Key Stats and Moments

• The Lakers shot 12-of-19 in the fourth quarter, including five 3-pointers, to hold off Brooklyn’s late-game surge.
• Reaves’ alley-oop assist to LeBron with 2:32 remaining gave the Lakers a 102-95 lead, marking their final basket of the game.
• The Brooklyn Nets dominated in bench scoring, outscoring the Lakers 49-15.

Takeaways from the Game

1. Austin Reaves Career High: The young star continues to shine in big moments, proving his value as a clutch scorer and playmaker.
2. LeBron’s Leadership: Even at 39, LeBron remains a cornerstone for the Lakers, consistently delivering on both ends of the floor.
3. Brooklyn’s Resilience: Despite coming off a humiliating 59-point loss to the Clippers, the Nets pushed the Lakers to the brink and showed promise with contributions from their bench.

What’s Next?

• The Brooklyn Nets continue their six-game road trip with a visit to Oklahoma City on Sunday.
• The Lakers face the Los Angeles Clippers in what promises to be another exciting installment of their crosstown rivalry.

As the season progresses, both teams will look to build on their performances in this exhilarating Nets vs. Lakers clash. Fans can expect more high-stakes drama as the Lakers games continue to feature stellar performances from players like Reaves and LeBron.