Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves, right, celebrates with center Jaxson Hayes after scoring during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

LOS ANGELES — The first five players to put up at least 45 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in one game for the Los Angeles Lakers were Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James.

The sixth is Austin Reaves, who hit those exact numbers while leading the short-handed Lakers to a 124-117 victory over surging Indiana on Saturday.

Article continues after this advertisement

Reaves knows what you’re thinking. He feels the same way.

FEATURED STORIES SPORTS PBA: Justin Brownlee, Ginebra not surprised by tough Meralco act SPORTS NBA: Lakers' trade for Mark Williams rescinded after failed physical SPORTS KBL: UP products Carl Tamayo, JD Cagulangan shine in separate wins READ: NBA: Austin Reaves carries Lakers over Pacers without LeBron, Luka

AUSTIN REAVES: NEXT MAN UP 😤

🏀 45 PTS (career-high)🏀 7 REB🏀 7 AST🏀 3 STL🏀 4 3PM

Stepped up with the stars out of the lineup to guide the Lakers to their 5th straight win. pic.twitter.com/rK89oluMne

— NBA (@NBA) February 9, 2025

“It looks weird when you see my name up there,” Reaves said with a smile.

Article continues after this advertisement

It’s getting less weird with each achievement by Reaves, who joined the Lakers undrafted out of Oklahoma 3 1/2 years ago. He has grown into a starter and a key contributor for his favorite team ever since he was a rural Arkansas kid who idolized Kobe Bryant and wouldn’t let anyone dissuade him from his NBA dream.

Article continues after this advertisement

When Los Angeles had to play without injured LeBron James and Luka Doncic against Indiana, the fourth-place team in the East, Reaves produced the most prolific game of his career to date. He hit 14 of 26 shots, made four 3-pointers and went 13 of 13 from the free-throw line while usually initiating the offense down the stretch.

free slot games for fun Article continues after this advertisement

Throw in those seven rebounds, seven assists and three steals, and Reaves was able to carry the depleted Lakers past a talented Pacers team. No wonder Reaves heard late “M-V-P!” chants from Lakers fans grateful they got to see something amazing even with James and Doncic in street clothes.

James has a sore left ankle, and Doncic wasn’t quite ready for his debut. The Lakers were still in upheaval from losing Anthony Davis, Max Christie, Dalton Knecht and Cam Reddish in two deadline trades — and now they’re in even more upheaval after they rescinded their trade of Knecht and Reddish for Charlotte center Mark Williams later Saturday.

Article continues after this advertisement READ: NBA: Lakers hold off Nets, Austin Reaves sets career-high 38

What’s more, Reaves has a sore left elbow that easily could have kept him out of his historic game. He only decided to play through the pain moments before the pregame cutoff time — and the Lakers were grateful he did.

“I think he’s been as important as any player on our team,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “I felt like he was the best player on the floor tonight, and that says a lot. He showed up in a big-time way.”

Reaves got off to a huge start against Indiana, scoring 11 points in less than six minutes. He finished the first half with 20, and he took charge again in the fourth quarter, starting it off with back-to-back 3-pointers before finishing the final period with 14 points.

It was a remarkable performance by a player who just set his previous career high of 38 against Brooklyn last month — but Reaves is the first to acknowledge his entire NBA career has been one surprise after another. He has filled multiple roles since he unexpectedly played his way into a Lakers roster spot out of training camp in 2021.

“The path that I took is not conventional,” Reaves said. “There’s probably only a handful of people that thought I would be in this position, if any. It wasn’t really the popular thing to do to continue to chase my dream. … If I can inspire kids that’s in my situation to continue to chase their dreams, whatever it is, just do it.”

READ: NBA: Austin Reaves paces Lakers past Kings

He’s now much more than a surprise, however: Reaves has averaged at least 28 minutes per game in each of the past three seasons as a frequent starter — including all 44 games this season under Redick.

Reaves is also part of one of the most intriguing teams in Lakers history following their dramatic move to land Doncic, who could be Reaves’ backcourt-mate for years to come.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

SIGN ME UP

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

While Doncic is expected to be the next centerpiece of the Lakers, Reaves has become extraordinarily valuable as well — and he’s occasionally making history.

“It’s surreal, because I grew up a huge Kobe fan, so I was automatically a Laker fan,” Reaves said. “Just to be able to go out there and put the uniform on and compete, and then to have a couple of those games to where my name is in with those guys, is special. It’s something that I won’t take for granted.”

“I know him, he knows mehondawin,” Cone said after his Gin Kings arranged a best-of-seven title duel with Reyes’ Tropang Giga following Sunday’s 102-99 win over the San Miguel Beermen in Game 6 of their semifinal series at Smart Araneta Coliseum

ss777 casino READ NEXT NBA: Anthony Davis powers Mavs past Rockets before exiting wit... NBA: Austin Reaves carries Lakers over Pacers minus LeBron, Luka EDITORS' PICK Child abuse trial reveals 2-year-old fed ‘buldak’ sauce, soju Hundreds protest in London against Beijing ‘mega embassy’ BI logs increase in trafficking cases linked to catphishing Pernilla Sjoö breaks silence on Andi Eigenmann-Philmar Alipayo’s alleged split EDITORIAL: Anti-commuter MMDA plans SWS: Fewer Filipinos feel better life quality MOST READ Pernilla Sjoö breaks silence on Andi Eigenmann-Philmar Alipayo’s alleged split Chinese Embassy in PH 'shocked' by US personnel's China spy narrative Child abuse trial reveals 2-year-old fed 'buldak' sauce, soju ACT Teachers slams Dela Rosa for mocking stroke survivor Cendaña Follow @FMangosingINQ on Twitter --> View comments