Austin Reaves’ Career Night Lifts Shorthanded Lakers Over Kings in Sacramento
Austin Reaves erupted for a career-high 51 points, leading a depleted Los Angeles Lakers squad past the Sacramento Kings 127–120 on Sunday night.
- Glenn Catubig
- 4 min read
In a game where the Lakers were without Luka Doncic and LeBron James, Austin Reaves delivered the performance of his career. The 26-year-old guard scored 51 points — a personal best — while nearly recording a triple-double in Los Angeles’ 127–120 victory over the Kings in Sacramento. His four clutch free throws in the final 32 seconds sealed a statement win for a Lakers team searching for stability amid early-season injuries.
Reaves made 12 of his 22 shots from the field, including six 3-pointers, and became the latest Laker to cross the 500-career threes milestone. He added 11 rebounds and nine assists, falling just one assist shy of his first career triple-double.
The performance put Reaves in elite company. According to ESPN Stats & Information, he is only the fourth player in the past 40 years to record at least 50 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists in a single game — joining Luka Doncic, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden. The last Laker to post similar numbers was Elgin Baylor in 1963.
“I just tried to stay aggressive and trust the work I’ve put in,” Reaves said afterward. “With Luka and LeBron out, I knew I had to set the tone.”
1. Short-Handed, Not Slowed
Los Angeles entered the night without its two biggest stars. Doncic was sidelined with a sprained finger and bruised leg, while James continues to recover from sciatica and isn’t expected back until mid-November. For a team that has struggled with injuries and chemistry early in the season, Sunday’s matchup against Sacramento looked daunting. Instead, the Lakers came out sharp. Rui Hachimura scored 10 points in the first nine minutes, while Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart added seven each as Los Angeles built a 31–21 lead after one quarter. The ball movement was crisp, and the energy — often inconsistent in recent outings — was steady from the start. Sacramento countered in the second quarter behind hot shooting from deep. The Kings drained seven 3-pointers in the period, including three from Russell Westbrook, to pull even at halftime. Yet every time the Kings appeared poised to seize control, Reaves responded with poise and precision. Coach Darvin Ham credited the team’s resilience. “We’ve been talking about next-man-up mentality,” he said. “Tonight, Austin embodied that perfectly.”
2. Fourth-Quarter Composure
The fourth quarter tested the Lakers’ composure. Sacramento opened the frame on a 12–4 run to take a four-point lead, igniting the Golden 1 Center crowd. But Reaves quickly turned momentum back Los Angeles’ way. He scored 15 of his 51 points in the final period, including a step-back jumper that pushed the Lakers ahead 122–116 with 1:48 remaining. His late-game calm at the free-throw line — four makes in the final half-minute — shut the door on Sacramento’s comeback bid. While Reaves drew headlines, Ayton’s physical play anchored the team inside. The center finished with 22 points and 15 rebounds, controlling the paint against Domantas Sabonis, who had 10 points and 14 boards for the Kings. Hachimura added 18 points, complementing Reaves’ perimeter fireworks with steady midrange scoring. “Everyone chipped in, but Austin’s performance was special,” Ayton said. “He carried us when we needed it most.”
3. Kings Can’t Capitalize
Despite the loss, Sacramento showed offensive depth. Zach LaVine led the Kings with 32 points, while DeMar DeRozan added 21. Sabonis and Dennis Schroder each posted double-doubles, combining for 22 assists and 24 rebounds. Yet defensive lapses down the stretch and missed opportunities in transition proved costly. Coach Mike Brown praised his team’s fight but noted the lack of execution late. “We had our chances,” Brown said. “When a guy’s having a night like that, you have to adjust — and we didn’t do enough to slow him down.” The Kings’ inability to contain Reaves from beyond the arc was particularly damaging. He shot 6-for-11 from three, repeatedly finding open looks off high screens and broken plays. Sacramento’s defense, ranked among the league’s most efficient early in the season, looked a step slow throughout the final stretch. Still, both teams left with takeaways. For the Lakers, it was a reminder of their depth; for the Kings, a warning that attention to detail can undo even the strongest efforts.