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[Saba Sports News] On Friday night, the Los Angeles Lakers defied expectations by keeping pace with the Denver Nuggets despite missing LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and several key rotation players.
Austin Reaves delivered a standout performance, posting 37 points, eight rebounds, and 13 assists. However, the Lakers once again fell victim to a clutch Jamal Murray jumper, extending their losing streak to four games.
After the game, Reaves dismissed any notion of moral victories despite the team’s impressive effort, expressing frustration over the tough road trip.
“We went 0-4, so it’s a pretty bad trip,” Reaves admitted. “But s—, JJ said a week ago, ‘Everybody’s like, Lakers in five.’ We just don’t listen to any of it,” he told Jovan Buha of *The Athletic*.
Despite his frustration, Reaves remained optimistic about the team’s potential when fully healthy.
“We know when we have everyone available, we have a real chance to beat anybody,” he said. “I just see this group coming together, locking in on one common goal, and that’s to win.”
Had the Lakers pulled off the upset, it would have been one of the biggest shockers of the NBA season, as few expected them to compete—let alone win—against a full-strength Nuggets squad while missing so many key contributors.
Reaves showcased his full offensive arsenal, hitting difficult shots and orchestrating the offense in the absence of the team’s usual playmakers, James and Doncic.
The road ahead doesn’t get any easier for the Lakers, with their next four games coming in back-to-back sets due to scheduling adjustments caused by the recent Los Angeles wildfires. Their next challenge comes Sunday afternoon against the Phoenix Suns.