A Defining Turning Point for the Lakers Season
This season, his fourth in the NBA, Austin Reaves has taken a major step forward. His per-game numbers are soaring: 28.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 6.7 assists on 51.6 percent shooting. That is a major jump from last year’s 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.8 assists. Beyond the raw averages, his efficiency has improved significantly, meaning he is doing more with each touch. It is not just consistency, since Reaves is also flashing occasional brilliance. On October 27, 2025, he dropped a career-high along with 11 rebounds and nine assists, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 127 to 120 win over the Sacramento Kings while two of his teammates were out. That kind of performance does more than grab headlines, since it redefines expectations. In recent games, Reaves has continued to deliver: 22 points and 10 rebounds in a close win over the Utah Jazz, 31 points with a fourth-quarter burst against a rival team, and a 38-point explosion that helped the Lakers clinch a knockout-round berth in the NBA Cup.
On top of that, his growing chemistry with teammates like LeBron James and Luka Dončić, is already being widely discussed and looks like it could pay dividends. All of this suggests Reaves has matured from a solid role player into a legitimate star, possibly one of the most under-appreciated in the league. Reaves’ leap gives the Lakers a third weapon behind their core stars. That level of scoring and playmaking depth is critical in the playoffs, when teams try to take away your best players. Having a dynamic and efficient scorer like Reaves helps ensure L.A. does not go cold if one star is off. With Reaves capable of blowing up for 50+ or carrying the offense when needed, opposing defenses cannot focus only on Luka or LeBron. They now must respect a third threat, which can force mismatches, open looks for shooters, or make it easier for the Lakers to exploit weaker defenders.
Injuries and load management are part of the modern NBA, and Reaves has shown he can step in when others are missing. His ability to lead the offense, create shots, and maintain efficiency could keep the Lakers competitive even in tough stretches. That is a major advantage over teams that rely too heavily on only one or two players. Austin Reaves has turned a productive role-player career into a quietly dominant run of efficient scoring, improved playmaking, and occasional take-over games. For the Lakers, that kind of emergence dramatically improves their ceiling. If he keeps this up, Reaves may become the X-factor that tips L.A. from contender back into legitimate title-favorite territory.
