Following an electric win on Saturday against the Orlando Magic, Austin Reaves and the Los Angeles Lakers find themselves on a season-long nine-game winning streak. The starters have played a major hand in this run, with Reaves, in particular, playing with energy on both sides.
Opponents have consistently hunted the Lakers guard on defense, but to his credit, he is battling. Head coach JJ Redick has his team bought in on both sides of the floor, everyone looks to be on the same page and Reaves admits that their confidence is in a good place right now.
“Good,” Reaves said on Spectrum SportsNet. “We’ve done it in different ways. We’ve won ugly games where it wasn’t great offensively, we’ve won with our defense, and then we’ve dominated some games offensively. But just getting in a rhythm playing alongside one another, having fun and getting wins.”
The compete level has been great from L.A. during this streak as everyone has displayed a willingness to do whatever it takes to win. That has always been the mindset for Reaves, and the Arkansas native detailed where his desire to win at all costs came from.
“At a young age, I never won anything,” he said. “With my brother being two years older than me … Basketball, baseball, tennis, ping-pong, he never let me win anything. So I grew a hatred to losing … Winning is — it fixes everything.”
In today’s NBA, there needs to be a baseline compete level and it has wavered at times for Los Angeles over the past few months. Following troubling losses, Redick managed to keep his group together and find a way to get back on track.
Ultimately, it starts with the stars as if they are engaged, everyone else will follow. LeBron James dove for a loose ball against the Denver Nuggets, Luka Doncic is averaging 2.7 steals in his last 10 games and Reaves is averaging 1.4 steals in his last 10.
In a wild Western Conference, this winning streak could not have come at a better time for the Lakers. They are playing their best basketball of the year and hopefully it carries them to home-court advantage in the postseason.
Austin Reaves explains saying ‘I love you’ to basketball
This season has been a special one for Reaves as he is solidifying himself as a backcourt mate next to Luka Doncic. Arguably, his best highlight of the year was intentionally missing a free throw, getting the ball and hitting a floater to force overtime against the Denver Nuggets.
It was a game with massive implications regarding a tiebreaker and L.A. went on to win. Following that crazy end to regulation, Reaves was seen saying “I love you” to the basketball and he explained why.
Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in live shows, and more!
