The Los Angeles Lakers are coming off a bad loss to the Phoenix Suns.
The Los Angeles Lakers seemed slow and demotivated as they were crushed by a Devin Booker-less Phoenix Suns team.
Dillon Brooks got the last laugh over LeBron James in this encounter, scoring 33 points as James barely extended his 10-point streak with a three-pointer late in the fourth to give him 10 points for the game.
Luka Doncic did have 38 points but he had 9 turnovers as the Lakers got blown out 125-108.
Draymond Green wants to see how this Los Angeles Lakers star will fare in the playoffs
Prior to that game against the Suns, the Lakers were rolling, winning seven games in a row.
Is Austin Reaves a reliable No. 2 option?
The Lakers’ dynamic duo of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves had been putting on a show, showing that they are arguably the best duo in the league.
Reaves has been having a great season as he has endured another leap, however, Draymond Green questioned how he will play in the playoffs.
Green talked on his podcast about how Reaves struggled last postseason against the Minnesota Timberwolves, and with him being the team’s No. 2 option, he questioned if Reaves can get it done in the postseason this year.
“He is playing at an All-Star level. He is playing like a true second option.
“I think what gets interesting for this team is Austin, as great a basketball as he’s playing, and I know he continues to get better and better, what it is going to boil down to for this team, ultimately, is he had a rough go in the playoffs last year, against Minnesota.
“You have top level defenders guard him, and I think he’s starting to see more of that now, although he’ll usually always draw at least the second best defender, because you got Luka out there.”
The Austin Reaves, Luka Doncic duo has been undeniable
There was a lot of concern about the Lakers heading into this season since they were dismissed early in the first round of the playoffs last season.
Do the LA Lakers have the best backcourt in the NBA?
Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are the 4th duo in 50 years to each record 30+ points in 3 straight games!
How far can this duo take the Lakers?
- Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves (Lakers, 2025)
- Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard (Bucks, 2023)
- Monta Ellis and Corey Maggette (Warriors, 2010)
- George Gervin and Mike Mitchell (Spurs, 1984)
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They were also going to miss James for the first month of the season, but Doncic and Reaves have both stepped up.
Reaves is currently averaging career highs in points, rebounds, assists, steals and minutes. And he has shown he can be a true No. 2 option behind Doncic, who is averaging a career-high 35.3 points this season.
There aren’t many players capable of outscoring Doncic right now, but Reaves is one of them. The duo has been trading games where one outscores the other.
The Doncic, Reaves duo has already proven that they are good enough to compete in a loaded Western Conference.
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