Austin Reaves scored 43 points as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Detroit Pistons 121-116 in the US basketball league. Luka Doncic missed the game with lower-back tightness. Los Angeles survived a comeback that shrank a 24-point first-quarter advantage to 1 point early in the fourth, with Walker Kessler adding 12 points and 16 rebounds.
Austin Reaves scored 43 points in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 121-116 victory away to the Detroit Pistons in the US National Basketball Association.[1], [2]
Luka Doncic missed the game with lower-back tightness. Reaves made 14 of 27 field-goal attempts, including 4 of 6 three-pointers, and converted all 11 free throws. Walker Kessler contributed 12 points and 16 rebounds.[1]
Los Angeles opened a 24-point advantage in the first quarter before Detroit recovered after halftime. With Reaves resting early in the fourth quarter, the margin shrank to 1 point. Reaves also made two unusual shots: a third-quarter step-back three that banked in and a first-quarter baseline attempt sent over the corner of the backboard while he was falling out of bounds.[1]
Lakers coach JJ Redick praised Reaves’s decisions, aggression and ability to reach the paint. He said he had kept him on the bench during Detroit’s rally to allow the other players to work through difficulties while protecting his rest. Reserve guard Collin Sexton said Doncic’s absence required others to take responsibility and that Reaves had done so.[1]
