Austin Reaves delivered a career-best 45 points as the Los Angeles Lakers (31-19) secured a 124-117 victory over the Indiana Pacers (29-22) on Saturday.
The Lakers extended their winning streak to five games despite playing without LeBron James and Luka Doncic. Rui Hachimura added 24 points on his 27th birthday, while Jaxson Hayes contributed nine points and 12 rebounds.
Los Angeles built a commanding 25-point lead in the first half, capitalizing on Indiana’s struggles without starting center Myles Turner. Reaves took control late, scoring 14 points in the fourth quarter as the Lakers held off a Pacers comeback.
James sat out with left ankle soreness, and Doncic missed his third consecutive game with a left calf strain. Both watched from the bench, preparing for a potential joint return on Monday against Utah.
Reaves, who nearly missed the game due to a sore left elbow, set the tone early with 14 first-quarter points. He then erupted in the fourth, securing his career high with a steal and a dunk, drawing a standing ovation from the Crypto.com Arena crowd.
Pascal Siakam led Indiana with 23 points, making all 11 of his free throws. Tyrese Haliburton added 19 points and nine assists, while Bennedict Mathurin scored 16 points. The Pacers shot 96.9% from the free-throw line but struggled defensively, allowing the Lakers to shoot 52.3% from the field.
Indiana made a push in the second half, cutting the deficit to single digits, but Reaves and Hachimura responded with key baskets to maintain control. Jordan Goodwin, making his Lakers debut, played 25 minutes and knocked down a crucial three-pointer with 2:26 remaining.
The Lakers dominated the paint and out-rebounded the Pacers 46-38. Indiana’s bench provided solid production, with Obi Toppin scoring 14 points and T.J. McConnell adding 12. However, their defensive lapses in the first half proved costly.
