After the meeting, LeBron James could not help but be ironic about the performance ofAustin Reaves : “ Who knew the best Flu Game : AR or MJ? The debate is open ! »
The contexts were obviously very different but, 26 years after Michael Jordan, the back of the Lakers also had to fight illness before a final and that did not prevent him from shining in the victory against the Pacers: 28 points in 28 minutes coming off the bench, 9/15 shooting and 10/12 shooting- frank!
A game of golf causing his cold?
“ It's something I was battling the whole match and I didn't really have the nutrients I needed in my body. “, he indicated afterwards. “ I always felt short of breath. I was really tired and always cold. I couldn't really warm up. »
Uncertain for the outcome of the In-Season Tournament, the day after a round of golf during which he probably caught a cold, Austin Reaves could not afford to miss such a meeting. He therefore went to great lengths to be in uniform with his teammates.
“ It crossed my mind [de déclarer forfait]but I think my mother would have strangled me to death if I hadn't played… », joked the now sixth man of Los Angeles, in a post-match interview. “ You don't want to miss a game. I don't want to let my brothers down. I don't want to be the one to miss a game when I potentially could have helped win it. »
A leader on the floor
Upon arrival, Austin Reaves was rather well inspired to play without being 100%, since he quite simply delivered his best outing of the season in scoring, constantly attacking the Pacers defense and punishing it, like Anthony Davis , in the paint or on the line.
“ As I pointed out for LeBron and AD, Austin is one of those guys who can carry the group on certain stretches, finish games and perform all the plays you ask him to produce, even some you didn't expect. », declared his coach, Darvin Ham. “ He's a competitor. You watch him work on his game, you watch him make plays for his team, you watch him accomplish things on both ends of the court… He's just an elite, highly intelligent thinker and worker. This shows once we find ourselves in those moments when we need Him. »
The perfect relay of the LeBron/Davis tandem
A decisive and essential performance from Austin Reaves, considered the third/fourth option for these Lakers who are gaining strength (five victories in six games).
“ What he did tonight, and all season, was incredible », Reacted Anthony Davis, the real hero of the evening (41 points, 20 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 blocks). “ It takes a lot of pressure off us. [LeBron James et moi] We attract so much attention and he is able to play one-on-one or play for others as well as for himself. He means a lot to our organization, to our team, and it shows as soon as he steps on the field. There's nothing he can't do on offense and he's focused on defense. »
“ I don't think about it, honestly », admitted the main person concerned, when he was asked about his status in the team. “ We have a lot of really good players, including D'Angelo Russell, and I think that third option status could go to anyone on any given night. Like I said, Cam Reddish didn't score much tonight, but he was one of our best players on the floor because of the way he defended and changed the play on that end of the floor. But I don't think anyone on this team cares who the third, fourth or fifth option is, because we just want to win. »
| Austin Reaves | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2021-22 | LAL | 61 | 23 | 45.9 | 31.7 | 83.9 | 0.7 | 2.4 | 3.2 | 1.8 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 7.3 |
| 2022-23 | LAL | 64 | 29 | 52.9 | 39.8 | 86.4 | 0.5 | 2.5 | 3.0 | 3.4 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 1.6 | 0.3 | 13.0 |
| 2023-24 | LAL | 23 | 29 | 46.7 | 33.0 | 86.3 | 0.9 | 3.8 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 2.4 | 0.1 | 14.1 |
| Total | 148 | 27 | 49.3 | 35.6 | 85.7 | 0.7 | 2.7 | 3.3 | 2.9 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 10.8 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
