Austin Reaves

Los Angeles Lakers highlights of Austin Reaves and Malik Monk having career nights to beat the Denver Nuggets in the season finale.

Talen Horton-Tucker looked like he was on his way to another big scoring night, but unfortunately re-aggravated his left ankle sprain and was ruled out for the remainder of the contest. Not to be outdone by his Arkansas counterpart, Monk had himself a career night as well. From rebounding to playmaking, Reaves showed off his versatile skillset before taking over in the second half.

Austin Reaves was one of the few bright spots in the Los Angeles Lakers' 2021-22 season, which was nothing short of a disaster. While his numbers aren't.

Mаke аn аttempt to steer the Los Angeles ship in the right direction. Thаt is likely the highlight of the yeаr for mаny Lаkers fаns аs well. Not to mention how criticаl it is for а plаyer like Reаves, who hаs hаd to prove himself in the NBA night аfter night.

DENVER — Malik Monk had a career-best 41 points and Austin Reaves set career highs with 31 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists to lead the Los Angeles Lakers ...

Reaves put the Lakers ahead 139-17 with a turnaround jumper with 1:40 left, and then made it a five-point game with a 3-pointer in the final minute. The rookie had played in just one other game, Dec. 29 when he was with the Chicago Bulls. “This is when talent has to come out. “This is real basketball,” Denver's DeMarcus Cousins said. Three MVPs and five all-stars were inactive for a game that held little meaning. “Celebrate what these young guys did in terms of scratching and clawing and getting back in this game.

Austin Reaves and Malik Monk posted career nights in the Los Angeles Lakers season finale vs. the Denver Nuggets.

This will be a major storyline to watch in the offseason. Unless the Lakers stretch Russell Westbrook’s contract, they may not have the ability to offer Monk more than the taxpayer mid-level (about $6 million) exception. Reaves is signed through next season — though he’s on track for a hearty raise in the summer of 2023. Austin Reaves (31 PTS, 16 REB, 10 AST, 2 STL) with@LakersReporteron his incredible performance to close out the regular season. "Even though this game really didn't mean anything, it's another opportunity to go out and show what you can bring to the table." He hit all 14 of his free throws and capped off a furious last-ditch rally with five points in the final 20 seconds: a 3, a steal, and then a coast-to-coast layup:

Reaves saved the best game of his NBA career for last, as he took advantage of an increased workload (42 minutes) and the Lakers resting several regulars, to ...