Reaves Erupts for 51 Points: “What Matters Most Is the Win”
From undrafted to undeniable: Austin Reaves makes Lakers history with a legendary night in Sacramento
With Luka Doncic and LeBron James both sidelined, the Los Angeles Lakers needed someone to step up – and Austin Reaves answered the call in spectacular fashion. In Sacramento, the Arkansas native exploded for a career-high 51 points, adding 11 rebounds and 9 assists, to lead L.A. to a 127-120 win over the Kings.
Reaves was unstoppable across the board: he shot 12-for-22 from the field, nailed six three-pointers (including the 500th of his career), and calmly sank four clutch free throws in the final 30 seconds to seal the victory.
When I went to the line, I just thought, ‘Man, I can’t miss.’ It was a special night, but what matters most is that we got the win.
Austin Reaves
The numbers speak for themselves. Reaves joined an ultra-elite group – in the past 40 years, only Luka Doncic, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden have recorded a 51/11/9 stat line.
And to find another Laker with a similar performance, you have to go all the way back to 1963, when Elgin Baylor posted a 50-point, 15-rebound, 11-assist masterpiece against the Celtics. That alone shows just how rare Reaves’ night truly was.
He also became just the fifth Laker of the 2000s to reach the 50-point mark, joining LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, and Anthony Davis – not bad company for a former undrafted player. Judging by his growth and confidence, though, this doesn’t look like a one-off – it feels like a statement.
I don’t deserve all this. I grew up watching those guys. I’m speechless.
Austin Reaves
After the game, JJ Redick praised Reaves as the embodiment of the team’s competitive spirit:
What he’s doing is incredible. He loves the competition, thrives in moments like these. From going undrafted to dropping 50 in an NBA game — he’s the definition of staying ready.
JJ Redick
Despite being without Doncic (finger sprain and leg contusion) and LeBron (sciatica, expected back mid-November), the Lakers showed resilience, identity, and belief – and in the middle of it all, Austin Reaves just might have written the first legendary chapter of his own L.A. story.