With the Los Angeles Lakers missing their two high-profile stars in LeBron James and Luka Doncic on Wednesday night, it was the man dubbed as the team’s “third option” who again had an elite-level performance. While James has yet to suit up through the start of the 2025-26 NBA season, Doncic has missed the Lakers’ last three games, including the thriller on Wednesday, Oct. 30, against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
In their absence, Reaves has done more than just pick up slack; he’s proven capable of being more than just a third option. The Lakers are 2-1 in the three-game stretch, with Reaves averaging an unreal 40 points per game, including pouring in 51 points against the Sacramento Kings and 41 against the Portland Trail Blazers. However, his performance against the Timberwolves was even more impressive, as he capped off a 28-point, 16-assist night with a tough game-winner jumper.
Austin Reaves Jokes What LeBron James, Luka Doncic Would Say After Game-Winner vs. T’Wolves
To set the stage a bit, after the Lakers and Timberwolves had exchanged leads throughout the night, Los Angeles appeared poised to run away with the game, taking an 11-point lead into the fourth quarter. However, after a Reaves three-pointer with four minutes left made it a 112-101 lead, the Timberwolves went on a 14-2 run to hold a 115-114 edge with 10 seconds remaining.
Reaves then proceeded to do what fans have seen James and Doncic do often in their careers, as he never looked off the opportunity to take the game-winning shot.
AUSTIN REAVES WINS IT FOR THE LAKERS IN MINNESOTA 😱😱😱 pic.twitter.com/qftaDRTenE
— ESPN (@espn) October 30, 2025
The game-winner from Reaves perfectly sums up his dominance in the past three games. After his stellar performance in the win, he spoke to ESPN and jokingly revealed what James and Doncic would say to him after his big shot.
“They’ll probably tell me I suck because I missed like 14 shots,” Reaves joked. “Get back, my brother, and LeBron, everybody get back.”
“They’ll probably tell me I suck.” 😂
Austin Reaves on what LeBron and Luka will tell him after his game-winner over the Timberwolves. pic.twitter.com/Ol2wBBLM6y
— ESPN (@espn) October 30, 2025
Reaves couldn’t help but laugh about it after he struggled to find the bottom of the basket at times on Wednesday. Regardless, he stepped up when it mattered most, and the end of his comments made it apparent that he’s done some heavy lifting in the Lakers’ recent stretch.
