Reaves beats buzzer to lift shorthanded Lakers past Timberwolves 116-115
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MINNEAPOLIS — Austin Reaves capped a 28-point, 16-assist performance with a 12-foot floater as time expired Wednesday night, giving the Los Angeles Lakers a 116-115 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center.
The decisive basket came off a sideline inbounds play with 6.6 seconds remaining. Reaves took the pass near midcourt, split Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert at the top of the key, drove into the lane and lofted the shot while twisting to avoid Donte DiVincenzo, who was attempting to draw a charge. After the ball dropped, Reaves sprinted toward the Lakers’ bench and was swarmed by teammates.
“That guy is going to show up in the big moments,” head coach JJ Redick said. “I’m not surprised. He’s done that many times in his career.”
Reaves’ heroics halted a late 14-2 Minnesota surge that erased what had been a 20-point second-half deficit and put the Wolves ahead on a Julius Randle drive with 10.2 seconds to play. The win moved Los Angeles to 3-2 despite playing without Luka Doncic (left lower leg contusion, left finger sprain), LeBron James (sciatica), Marcus Smart (right quad contusion), Gabe Vincent (left ankle sprain), Maxi Kleber (abdominal strain) and Adou Thiero (left knee surgery recovery).
Reaves’ prolific week continues
The buzzer-beater followed a career-best 51-point outing Sunday against the Sacramento Kings and a 41-point effort Monday versus the Portland Trail Blazers. Through the season’s first week, only Oklahoma City’s reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has scored more total points than the undrafted guard from the 2021 class.
Reaves said last spring’s first-round playoff loss to Minnesota — highlighted by his missed corner three at the buzzer in Game 4 — was on his mind entering the night. “Last time we were in this building, I had the shot to tie it and missed,” he said. “Let me tell you, that feeling sucks.”
Balanced support
Four other Lakers reached double figures. Jake LaRavia led the group with 27 points on 10-for-11 shooting, Deandre Ayton and Rui Hachimura scored 17 apiece, and rookie Dalton Knecht added 15 off the bench. LaRavia, who signed with Los Angeles in the offseason, called Reaves “a dog, a leader, a competitor” and credited him for steadying the team while the All-Stars heal.
Redick praised the club’s resilience amid the injury wave. “From where we were three weeks ago, we were discombobulated,” he said. “I’ve asked a lot of these guys while we’re undermanned, and they’re delivering.”
Reaves matched his career high with the 16 assists and, according to the team, became the first Laker with at least 25 points, 15 assists and a game-winning buzzer-beater since the franchise began tracking play-by-play data.
The Lakers and Timberwolves meet again Jan. 14 in Los Angeles.
Source: ESPN
