Austin Reaves Commends Lakers’ Fight Despite Streak-Snapping Loss in Detroit
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The Los Angeles Lakers saw their nine-game winning streak halted on March 23, 2026, falling 109-103 to the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena. Although the Lakers faced a deficit that swelled to as many as 18 points in the third quarter, guard Austin Reaves said the team’s late push showed the competitive edge that fueled its recent surge.
“We were down 16 or 18 in the third and fought back. It was a two-point game going into the fourth,” Reaves told Spectrum SportsNet after the game. “We did some really good things, and there are some things we need to clean up, but I like the way we competed.”
Reaves credited the club’s heightened physicality and intensity for both the nine-game run and the near comeback in Detroit. The Lakers, who had struggled to respond to early deficits earlier in the 2025-26 season, have recently shown an ability to rally late.
Detroit remained atop the conference despite playing without injured guard Cade Cunningham. Kevin Huerter paced the Pistons defensively, while Los Angeles relied on its usual core of Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Reaves.
Reaves also addressed why the Lakers’ “Big 3” suited up in a previous back-to-back set that concluded in Miami. After a grueling victory over the Houston Rockets, James, Doncic and Reaves were all listed as questionable for the March 21 meeting with the Heat. According to Reaves, James announced he would play, and the other two followed his lead; Los Angeles went on to earn another hard-fought win.
With the postseason approaching, Reaves emphasized that maintaining the current level of effort will be critical for Los Angeles as long as the roster stays healthy.
Source: LakersNation.com
