LOS ANGELES — Guard Austin Reaves scored 35 points in just 25 minutes, lifting the Los Angeles Lakers to a comeback victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night, Feb. 5, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. The performance came in Reaves’ second game back after missing 19 contests—nearly six weeks—with a calf strain.
Still on a minutes restriction, Reaves shot 12-for-17 from the field and provided the bulk of Los Angeles’ offense with Luka Doncic sidelined for most of the game. “It’s always the first four minutes when you get tired fast,” Reaves said postgame. “After that, the second wind and adrenaline kick in, and you just focus on trying to win.”
The 25-year-old credited daily “stay-ready” scrimmages for helping him regain rhythm quickly. Over the past two to three weeks, he played full-court games in practice alongside Dalton Knecht, Bronny James, Nick Smith Jr., Drew Timme and Maxi Kleber. “I felt bad for them at one point because we were playing every other day and they had to suit up for the game,” he noted. “But the amount of time I played gave me a good rhythm.” Head coach JJ Redick has frequently referenced these sessions as a tool to keep reserves in game shape.
Reaves’ quick impact underscored his value to a roster that could be without Doncic or LeBron James at times. Doncic exited in the second quarter with what the team termed leg soreness. “I talked to Luka at halftime and asked if he was OK,” Reaves said. “Hopefully it’s nothing major. We need him—he’s our best player and the engine of a lot of what we do.”
The Lakers have not yet provided an official update on Doncic’s status.
Source: Lakers Nation
