Austin Reaves

Approaching well-oiled machine-type levels offensively on November 10, 2024, the Los Angeles Lakers could’ve confirmed their cohesiveness through a box score that showed both a 30-to-5 assist-to-turnover ratio, and 80 points generated off assists. As fun as that might’ve been for some, Austin Reaves had something even better in mind. Immediately decisive in punishing Davion Mitchell’s hyperaggressive 3-point closeout, Los Angeles’ gifted two-guard counters with a nifty spin move, prompting the gravitational pull of Ochai Agbaji’s help defense. One step ahead — and yet mid-flight at once — Reaves outsmarts the Toronto Raptors' defense, unleashing a behind-the-back dime to a teammate, invigorating the crowd through a highlight assist. Unselfish plays of that caliber helped Los Angeles flip a once-imposing double-digit deficit entirely, as they used a ferocious post-halftime attack to guide a runaway victory. In a considerable groove of his own through a soon-to-be nine-game streak of double-figure scoring, Reaves was a top-shelf standout, recording a game-high 27 points (on 10-of-17 shooting), alongside six assists, three 3-pointers, and a +11 plus-minus.