TITLE: Austin Reaves’ Last-Second Floater Lifts Lakers Over Timberwolves, Sparks League-Wide Praise
SLUG: austin-reaves-buzzer-beater-lakers-timberwolves-nba-reactions
CONTENT:
Guard Austin Reaves capped a frantic finish with a buzzer-beating floater on Oct. 29, 2025, giving the Los Angeles Lakers a 116-115 road win over the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center and pushing L.A. to 3-2 on the young season.
The Lakers had led by as many as 20 before Minnesota surged ahead in the closing seconds. Reaves, unfazed, drove into the lane and released the game-winner as time expired, sealing a night in which he totaled 28 points on 9-for-24 shooting and tied his career high with 16 assists.
Star support floods social media
Moments after the play, current and former teammates — along with several NBA icons — applauded the 27-year-old on X (formerly Twitter). LeBron James shouted out Reaves with an expletive-laced cheer, while Luka Doncic, Pau Gasol and Magic Johnson posted congratulatory messages. Jarred Vanderbilt, Josh Hart, Alex Caruso and Patrick Beverley also chimed in, calling Reaves “tough,” “cold” and joking that he deserves a major payday.
Reaves’ scoring binge continues
The dramatic finish capped an eye-opening week for the fifth-year guard. With James, Doncic and other regular scorers sidelined by injuries, Reaves erupted for 51 points earlier in the week and followed that with a 41-point performance before Wednesday night’s heroics.
Redick notes growing leadership
Head coach JJ Redick said Reaves has become increasingly vocal with several starters out. Redick pointed to a late-game challenge that led to a baseline inbound play; Reaves diagrammed a lob for rookie Dalton Knecht, a level of on-court direction the coach said he is “seeing again and again” on both ends of the floor.
With the Lakers awaiting the return of key contributors, Reaves’ surge — capped by his game-winner in Minneapolis — has provided an early spark and kept Los Angeles above .500.
Source: LakersNation.com
