Austin Reaves deserves credit for way he responded against Thunder

When Austin Reaves played poorly in Game 1 of the Lakers’ second-round playoff series against the Thunder, he fell under crushing pressure. 

Despite playing All-Star-caliber basketball for much of the season, new narratives were churning out of journalists’ pens and pundits’ mouths threatening to redefine him. 

He can’t meet the moment. He falls apart during the playoffs. He doesn’t deserve a maximum contract extension. 

The playoffs are powerful. Being a Laker makes the spotlight even more intense. Playing alongside LeBron James? Well, that just brings everything to a feverish pitch.

Reaves’ eight-point performance in Game 1 on 3-for-16 shooting, 0-for-5 from deep, hung over his head like a dark cloud.

All eyes were on him heading into Game 2. 

Many players spiral under those circumstances. They get into their own heads. Basketball might appear to be a physical game, but it’s a mental challenge more than anything, especially for shooters. 

So, how did Reaves respond?

With the type of “delusional confidence” he has talked about having all season. Against the league’s top defense, he had a playoff career-high 31 points on 10-for-16 shooting, 3-for-6 from beyond the arc in the Lakers’ 125-107 loss. 

He drove past Cason Wallace’s swarming hands and quick-moving feet, which have thrown his game off so many times this season. He fearlessly entered Chet Holmgren’s and Isaiah Hartenstein’s turf, dancing around the 7-footers’ menacing arm spans. 

Reaves responded with the type of performance that instantly quiets the noise. 

Said James: “Austin being Austin.”

Added Lakers coach JJ Redick: “Just he played a solid game.”

No one around Reaves was surprised. 

Reaves is used to shattering ceilings. He went undrafted in 2021. The Lakers signed him to a two-way contract. 

Now?

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He’s eligible to sign a quarter-of-a-billion-dollar contract extension with the Lakers after he’s expected to turn down his player option for next season and become a free agent. 

He became the Lakers’ second offensive option this season behind Luka Doncic, hopscotching in the pecking order over James, who’s arguably the greatest player of all time. He averaged a career-high 23.3 points on 49% shooting from the field and 36% from the 3-point line.

Reaves is the type of player coaches and players love to have on their team. 

He’s confident. He’s likable. He always gives 100%. 

While the basketball world was questioning whether Reaves was going to step up in Game 2, those closest to him were unfazed.

James jumped to his defense.

“He was out a month,” James said, pointing to the fact that Game 1 was just Reaves’ third game back from a strained oblique that he suffered April 2. “We know he’s going to make shots and make plays.”

As for Redick, he called Reaves “his own worst critic,” adding that he was virtually impenetrable to outsiders’ criticism. 

“He’s one of the least sort-of chronically online NBA players there is,” Redick said.

So, Reaves did what all great shooters do. 

He showed up to Game 2 with unyielding belief. He had a short memory. He was completely in the moment instead of dogged by the past. 

Reaves led all scorers. He helped the Lakers stay neck-and-neck with the Thunder for 3 ½ quarters before they lost and fell behind 2-0 in the series. He silenced all of the negativity that was bubbling up around him, ready to spill over. 

After the game, he was asked how he did it. 

How did he refind his rhythm? How did he reset? Did he obsessively study film? 

“No,” he said. “Just played basketball.”