Austin Reaves’ rapid rise has become one of the early-season headlines for the Los Angeles Lakers, and teammate Gabe Vincent believes the third-year guard is driving much of the team’s success.
Speaking to Spectrum SportsNet, Vincent called Reaves “a spark for us in a number of ways,” adding that the Lakers “need him to be aggressive” and “create” on offense. “We rely on him night in and night out,” Vincent said. “That’s a testament to him and how he’s been taking care of himself and his leadership.”
Reaves, 25, is averaging 29.3 points through the first 19 games, up from last season’s 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists. His scoring surge has come with LeBron James and Luka Doncic each missing time, thrusting the Arkansas native into a primary role.
The guard’s versatility—able to initiate plays or spot up off the ball—has made him a natural fit next to Doncic, whom the club acquired in the offseason. Reaves credits two years alongside James for sharpening his ability to cut and shoot off the catch, skills that complement the Slovenian star’s ball-dominant style.
Los Angeles now leans on a trio of ball-handlers in Reaves, Doncic and James, a luxury few Western Conference teams can match. Reaves has already delivered several wins without one or both co-stars, results that could prove critical in a crowded playoff race.
Beyond the numbers, Reaves has shown a growing voice in the locker room. After a blowout loss to the Boston Celtics on Friday, he refused to blame the defeat on a back-to-back schedule, a stance teammates cited as another sign of his developing leadership.
Reaves originally made headlines on Oct. 4, 2024, when he scored in double figures during a preseason contest against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, California. Nearly two months later, he has settled into a starring role the Lakers believe can endure well beyond James’ eventual departure.
Source: LakersNation.com
