The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a tough 123-116 loss to the Golden State Warriors, failing to overcome a late deficit despite strong performances from LeBron James and Austin Reaves.
Following the game, Reaves addressed the media, discussing the team’s struggles against Golden State’s defensive schemes and its inability to secure crucial rebounds. He acknowledged that while the Lakers executed well in stretches, second-chance opportunities for the Warriors made the difference.
When asked about the team’s inability to get over the hump late in the game, Reaves pointed to rebounding as a key issue.
“They did a good job offensive rebounding, and we didn’t defensive rebound,” he said. “At one point in the third quarter, they had 14 offensive rebounds for like 25 points.”
Despite playing solid initial defense, the Lakers allowed Golden State to capitalize on second-chance opportunities. The Warriors frequently found open shooters after offensive rebounds, leading to critical three-pointers that extended their lead.
Reaves also spoke about the Lakers’ struggles with spacing and execution, particularly in the first half. Head coach JJ Redick had mentioned that the issue wasn’t what the Warriors did defensively, but rather the Lakers’ failure to find the right spots.
“I don’t think it was a problem late—I think it was more so the first half,” Reaves explained. “It was a pretty bad stretch where we just didn’t play very good. We weren’t organized, and against a team like that, you have to be.”
Golden State’s defensive scheme, which often involved switching one through five, forced the Lakers into uncomfortable offensive possessions. Reaves emphasized that the team needed better organization to counteract those switches and create quality scoring opportunities.
Reaves acknowledged that the Lakers are still working through challenges against teams that switch everything defensively.
“You see flashes of things we do that are good, and then we experiment with some other stuff, and it doesn’t look so good,” he said. “We just have to figure out what we can do as a unit.”
Redick and his coaching staff showed the team film at halftime, highlighting areas for improvement. The Lakers responded with a better offensive effort in the second half, but their early struggles ultimately proved costly.
With the regular season nearing its end, Reaves was asked about the importance of developing a playoff mentality.
“It’s frustrating,” he admitted. “But that’s part of the process of becoming a really good team. You have to go through those ups and downs, battles where you have to figure it out.”
Reaves emphasized that challenges like these will help the Lakers in the long run. The team must learn to adapt and adjust, especially when facing adversity.
With the loss, the Lakers dropped to 46-30, sitting just one game ahead of the Warriors in the Western Conference standings. The defeat marked Golden State’s first win in Los Angeles since April 2023 and tightened the playoff race.
James led the Lakers with 33 points and nine assists, while Reaves delivered a career-high nine three-pointers, finishing with 31 points. Despite those performances, the team’s defensive lapses and rebounding struggles prevented them from securing the victory.
Golden State, led by Stephen Curry’s 37 points, took advantage of the Lakers’ mistakes. Rookie guard Brandin Podziemski added 28 points on an efficient 8-for-10 shooting from deep, helping the Warriors overcome their three-game losing streak against Los Angeles.
With only six games left in the regular season, the Lakers must improve their execution to avoid slipping into the play-in tournament. Reaves and his teammates understand the urgency and know that fixing their mistakes is crucial for a deep postseason run.
