As the Los Angeles Lakers secured the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference with a 140-109 victory over the Houston Rockets on Friday night, Austin Reaves took a moment to reflect on the team’s journey this season. The Lakers’ victory also clinched their second Pacific Division title in 13 years.
“It feels good,” said Reaves in an interview after the game. “We’ve obviously been through ups and downs throughout this year. I was joking with my best friend the other day about how this year’s felt like five years in total, but it also feels like it just started.”
Reaves emphasized the team’s resilience in the face of adversity. “Every time we hit adversity, we bounce back. That’s all you can ask for from a group,” he added. The Lakers’ remarkable turnaround since March 22, when key players got healthy, has brought them closer to their championship aspirations.
The Lakers’ dominant performance against a shorthanded Houston team highlighted their offensive depth. Luka Doncic led the charge with 39 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, while Reaves contributed 23 points. LeBron James also added 14 points before taking a rest in the final quarter.
With the win, Los Angeles (50-31) also secured their second 50-win season in the past 14 years, and importantly, they now enjoy valuable rest before the playoffs.
Reaves touched on the significance of executing well in the postseason, noting that “Playoff time is all about executing and paying attention to details.” He added, “You can win by the smallest margin or lose by a couple of mistakes. You have to be sharp every possession.”
The Lakers’ recent success also aligns with a stat often cited in championship discussions: 76 of 78 NBA champions have been top three seeds. “We feel very comfortable with what we have,” said Reaves. “From front office to coaching staff to players, we’re all locked into one goal – winning a championship.”
When asked about the impact of new head coach JJ Redick, Reaves praised his leadership. “He’s been huge for what we’ve done,” said Reaves, citing Redick’s basketball IQ and ability to get the team to buy in. Reaves also noted Redick’s professionalism, even with his limited coaching experience.
Reaves also highlighted LeBron James’ leadership on the court. “He’s our vocal leader on and off the court,” said Reaves. “When he’s talking on court, everybody listens because he’s seen a billion NBA possessions.”
As the Lakers look ahead to the postseason, Reaves expressed his excitement about having extra days to rest and prepare. “It gives us more days to prepare for whatever matchup we have.”
Reflecting on his relationship with LeBron, Reaves shared, “Being around him every day has helped me grow every day. I owe him a lot for what I’ve accomplished.”
