The Lakers’ Austin Reaves is having a breakout season, even though that story has been overshadowed by Luka Doncic’s brilliance.
Only four players have scored more points than Reaves (278) this season, including Doncic (393), Victor Wembanyama (331), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (299) and Tyrese Maxey (296).
Reaves is averaging career highs in points (25.3) and 3-point percentage (41.3) while also shooting an extremely efficient 50.8% from the field.
Reaves is 15th in the league in points per game.
Of those players, only Anthony Davis, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Wembanyama have higher field-goal percentages than Reaves. Only Jamal Murray and Steph Curry have higher 3-point percentages.
Reaves is earning every penny of his four-year, $180 million deal he signed with the Lakers over the summer, the richest contract ever for a player who went undrafted.
When Doncic, who’s averaging a league-leading 39.3 points per game, was sidelined against the Pistons on Sunday because of lower back tightness, Reaves poured in a season-high 43 points against a team with the third-highest defensive rating in the league to lead the Lakers to a 121-116 win.
The Lakers have won six games in a row and have the NBA’s best record at 10-2.
