Austin Reaves played a key role in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 134-126 victory over the Miami Heat on Thursday, contributing 18 points as the team extended its season-best winning streak to eight games. Reflecting on the performance, Reaves said, “It’s fun to watch. The second half, especially that third quarter, we played some good basketball and then down the stretch took over the game.”
He highlighted the impact of teammates, particularly Luka Doncic, adding, “Leading the league in scoring… I don’t know a reason why he’s not [in the MVP conversation]. He definitely should be in that conversation.” Reaves emphasized that Doncic’s performance inspires confidence across the roster, noting, “I don’t think what I say is going to really matter, but he definitely should be in that conversation.”
The Lakers trailed 39-43 at halftime but exploded in the second half behind Doncic’s 60 points, including 18 field goals on 30 attempts and 9 of 17 from three-point range. LeBron James recorded a triple-double with 19 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists, maintaining his efficient scoring stretch by hitting 21 of 22 shots across seven quarters.
Miami, missing Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Andrew Wiggins, was led by Bam Adebayo’s 28 points and 10 rebounds, while Tyler Herro added 21 points and Norman Powell scored 20. Reaves credited the team’s chemistry for overcoming the early deficit, reflecting on the shared effort that led to the win.
The Lakers’ ball movement produced 27 assists, capitalizing on Miami’s 11 turnovers and defensive lapses. Reaves’ remarks underscored the importance of trust and timing in crunch moments, especially alongside stars like Doncic and James.
With the victory, Los Angeles improved to 45-25, strengthening its position in the Western Conference playoff race. Miami fell to 38-32, remaining in eighth place in the East. Reaves’ comments highlight not only Doncic’s historic scoring night but also the collective belief that drives the Lakers’ eight-game winning streak.
