Austin Reaves shared his ideas after Los Angeles’ 137-130 victory over the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Wednesday.
“It was nice. Luka scored loads of buckets. I beat him one in a single gap yesterday. Golf. He did really, he beat me in a single gap yesterday. Made bogey. I made triple bogey,” Reaves mentioned about his pleasant competitors with Luka Doncic.
Reaves joked about letting Doncic win, saying, “No, I don’t. No, I let him win. It’s a confidence factor. No, we want him to be at his finest.” He added, “That’s why I’m nicer than him. I had realized the arduous method and I bought to maintain my associates joyful.”
On the Pacers’ effort regardless of the deficit, Reaves acknowledged, “Yeah, you already know that they’re going to play 48 minutes they usually’re going to play arduous. Clearly, it’s not the season they need to have, the accidents and and whatnot, however they’re nonetheless an excellent basketball staff with good gamers.”
Reaves additionally praised teammate Jaxson Hayes, noting, “He’s an excellent participant. Clearly a line risk, performs arduous, so it’s enjoyable. It’s good to see him on the market having enjoyable as properly.” Hayes completed with a double-double, recording 21 factors and 10 rebounds.
Bronny James’ efficiency additionally drew Reaves’ consideration. “Good. Yeah, good minutes. He made one of many largest pictures of the night time with the pull as much as I believe we have been up 13 on the time or one thing. Bought it to fifteen. However he simply wants reps. He adopted, performed arduous, did what he was alleged to do, and was actually joyful for him.”
Reaves highlighted Bronny’s development, saying, “Yeah, I imply he’s simply gotten higher each single day. He doesn’t take no shortcuts. He loves working. He does the suitable issues, retains his head down, don’t care about all of the noise and simply continues to work and get higher each single day.”
He touched on household affect, reflecting on his mother and father’ basketball background: “[My father] tried to blow by anyone and he was too outdated [and tore his Achilles]. So, earlier than that he was really hooping although. So, mother might play. Mother was a bucket. So, I suppose I realized one thing from each of them.”
Reaves described seeing Bronny and LeBron James contribute collectively within the NBA as “nonetheless loopy. It’s cool to see them coexist at work and it’s only a stunning factor.”
On the sport itself, Reaves scored 25 factors and dished eight assists whereas Doncic added 43 factors and 7 assists. LeBron James contributed 23 factors, and the Lakers overcame absences together with Deandre Ayton, Rui Hachimura, and Marcus Sensible to stay third within the Western Convention with a 10-1 stretch.
The Lakers return house to host Brooklyn on Friday, whereas Indiana prepares for the Clippers.
