TITLE: Marcus Smart Calls Austin Reaves’ 35-Point Night Against 76ers “No Surprise”
SLUG: marcus-smart-calls-austin-reaves-35-point-night-against-76ers-no-surprise
CONTENT:
LOS ANGELES — Guard Austin Reaves delivered 35 points to propel the Los Angeles Lakers past the Philadelphia 76ers on Feb. 5, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena, and teammate Marcus Smart said the breakout should shock no one.
Reaves, recently back after missing more than a month with a second calf injury, was pressed into a larger role when Luka Doncic sat out with lower-leg soreness. The third-year guard responded by shooting 12-for-17 from the field and 5-for-8 from beyond the arc, seizing control in the fourth quarter to complete the Lakers’ comeback.
“No, I don’t think these performances surprise anyone, and they shouldn’t,” Smart said after the win. “AR has made a name for himself and he is a big part of this team and we missed him. To come in the way he did and assert himself was something we needed, especially with Luka going down.”
Reaves had logged limited minutes in his Feb. 2 return against the Brooklyn Nets but showed no lingering effects from the injury. Against Philadelphia, he became the focal point of the offense, repeatedly attacking the defense while sharing the floor with LeBron James.
The 35-point outing has amplified expectations that Reaves will decline his player option for the 2026-27 season and command a significant raise in free agency. He has also brushed off recent comments from agent Rich Paul, who publicly suggested the Lakers consider trading him for a player such as Jaren Jackson Jr.
The victory improved Los Angeles’ record to 27-21 as the team continues to navigate injuries to key contributors.
Source: LakersNation.com
