Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves addressed Friday night’s 126-105 loss to the Boston Celtics, acknowledging a rough start and the challenge of adjusting to Boston’s shooting.
“They just made a lot of shots in that first quarter… that’s a pretty bad quarter. I thought I was really bad to start the game,” Reaves said.
Reaves scored a team-high 36 points with eight assists but admitted the Lakers needed to come out stronger. “We just got to come out of the gate a little hotter… I got to be better,” he said.
He highlighted the difficulties of back-to-back games while maintaining performance. “Sometimes it is back to backs… you still get an opportunity to play the game you love, so you just find some energy to compete at the highest level,” Reaves explained, noting his focus on keeping the team in the contest.
Reaves also discussed the value of process over immediate results. “The process doesn’t always result in wins right then, but in the long haul if you stick to that process and believe in it, it’ll be better for the group,” he said.
The guard praised Celtics forward Jordan Walsh for his defensive impact. “He just plays hard as crap every single possession… his length, athleticism, he’s physically gifted. He moves really well,” Reaves said.
Reaves pointed to the benefits of playing with multiple lineup combinations this season. “You never know in game situations… getting these reps with different guys helps when someone gets in foul trouble or can’t play,” he said.
He also reflected on improving as the primary ball-handler against defensive pressure. “Just continuing to get more comfortable in on-ball situations… knowing where to be when the ball needs to be in a certain spot,” Reaves said.
Despite the loss, Reaves remains focused on the Lakers’ path forward as the team looks to regroup. Boston shot a season-high 24 three-pointers, led by Jaylen Brown’s 30 points, while Derrick White and Jordan Walsh contributed 19 and 17 points, respectively.
Los Angeles (16-6) will face Philadelphia on Sunday, aiming to bounce back, while Boston (14-9) travels to Toronto to extend its winning streak.
