Lakers guard Austin Reaves emphasized team balance after Tuesday’s 135-118 victory over the Clippers at Crypto.com Arena.
“We just played the right way… took open shots, stuck to schemes and got the ball where we wanted to get it,” Reaves said, highlighting the combined 99 points from himself, LeBron James, and Luka Doncic.
Reaves stressed the importance of keeping the team involved despite the superstar scoring output. “You just pass to the open person… someone’s going to be open and you can play four-on-three basketball,” he explained, pointing to the Lakers’ unselfish approach.
Los Angeles shot 57% from the field and 45% from three, marking the third time this season the team has surpassed 40% from long range. “Feels good… yeah, it’s beautiful,” Reaves said.
The guard also praised his on-court chemistry with Doncic. “Me and Luka deal with each other on the court… when you have three guys that can make plays but are unselfish, everybody in the right spot can eat off that,” he said, noting the value of a cohesive trio with James.
Tuesday’s win secured the Lakers’ Group B NBA Cup title. Reaves sees these games as opportunities to build momentum early in the season. “Every game’s an opportunity to continue to get better… cup game or not,” he said, stressing that consistent effort and adherence to schemes are key.
Reaves highlighted the impact of James in transition, describing him as a “wrecking ball” on fast breaks. “It kind of gets you to keep up… good opportunities for us to get a lot of points in early offense,” he said, noting that defensive stops and rebounds are essential for initiating faster play.
Lakers’ depth and versatility were evident throughout the game. Doncic exploded for 43 points, nine rebounds, and 13 assists, while Reaves added 31 points and nine boards, and James contributed 25 points, including 16 in the second half. The Clippers struggled to match the offensive output despite James Harden’s 29 points and nine assists.
The victory extended Los Angeles’ winning streak to five games and improved their record to 13-4, putting them in position to host the next NBA Cup matchup. The Lakers will face the Dallas Mavericks on Friday, while the Clippers return home to face Memphis.
