Austin Reaves emphasized defense, communication, and team execution after the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 120-106 on Tuesday at Crypto.com Arena.
Reaves scored 31 points, including 29 in the second half, while helping Los Angeles secure its sixth win in the last seven games.
The Lakers guard said the defensive approach has become a foundation during the recent stretch.
“Defending with five guys and communication and effort levels high,” Reaves said. “We’ve shown we can when we do that, we can defend at a high level and did it again tonight.”
Los Angeles held Minnesota to 37-of-80 shooting from the field and 10-of-40 from three-point range.
Reaves credited Deandre Ayton for stabilizing the team early while the offense struggled.
“He was a monster,” Reaves said. “What did he have in half? Twelve and ten or something like that.”
The center finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
“He was the only person scoring for us efficiently and then just being high energy on the end,” Reaves added. “That’s what we need him to do. When he does that, we’re a different team.”
The game began slowly for both teams, with the Lakers missing 17 of their first 21 shots in the opening quarter.
Reaves said he stayed focused on the flow of the game rather than the early misses.
“Just continuing to play,” Reaves said. “Not dwelling over — I wouldn’t say a bad — just made some easy shots.”
The guard ignited the offense after halftime, scoring 16 points in the third quarter.
Asked what changed offensively, Reaves kept his explanation simple.
“Nice shots,” Reaves said. “That’s really it. Having fun playing basketball.”
He also pointed to improved ball movement.
“We had movement offensively when I played and things get much easier when that helps,” Reaves said.
Reaves finished the game with two four-point plays, marking the first time he has recorded multiple such plays in a single game.
“I couldn’t — I don’t know,” Reaves said when asked about the milestone.
The Lakers improved to 40-25 and moved into a tie with Minnesota for fourth place in the Western Conference standings.
Reaves said the team’s defensive mindset has been a key factor in recent wins against strong opponents.
“Like I said, I think it’s just continuing to grow and defend with five guys,” Reaves said.
He explained that modern NBA offenses require collective defense.
“There’s so many skilled players in this league that if you try to guard individually, it might work one game here and there, but you got to defend with a group,” Reaves said.
“You’re never going to defend Anthony Edwards with one guy. Julius Randle with one guy.”
Reaves added that the same principle applies across the league.
“Next team we play — same thing — then Jokic,” he said. “You can go down the line. All the teams we play got really good players.”
The solution, he said, remains consistent.
“You got to defend with the group and keep the energy high and communication.”
Reaves said the Lakers feel the progress during their recent stretch.
“Two really good wins in a row,” Reaves said. “We’ve won six out of seven and it feels like we’re trending in the right direction.”
“We just got to continue to stick to the plan and continue to get better every single day and compete at a high level.”
