Austin Reaves Says Frustration ‘Very High’ After Lakers Fall to Suns at the Buzzer
lakers-reaves-frustration-suns-loss
The Los Angeles Lakers dropped their third consecutive game Thursday night, a 109-106 defeat to the Phoenix Suns decided by Royce O’Neale’s last-second three-pointer at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix.
After the game, guard Austin Reaves did not hide his disappointment.
“Very high,” Reaves said when asked about his current frustration level, standing with his arms crossed in the visitors locker room.
Close loss amplifies mounting concerns
Reaves finished with 14 points on 5-for-12 shooting, while he and LeBron James combined for 29 points on 12-of-28 from the field. Luka Doncic led Los Angeles, but the team could not overcome Phoenix despite the Suns playing without All-Stars Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks.
The result left the Lakers 2-5 over their last seven contests and dropped them to sixth place in the Western Conference, two games clear of the teams behind them and only one game ahead of Phoenix for the conference’s final guaranteed playoff spot.
Reaves still searching for rhythm
Since returning from injury, Reaves has scored in double figures in all nine appearances but is averaging 19.6 points—down from the 27.8 he posted before the setback. He has shot below 45 percent in five of those games and has reached the 20-point mark only twice.
“Every possession matters,” Reaves said, noting several plays he believed could have swung the outcome. “One little mistake can ignite a crowd, ignite a team.”
Doncic calls for renewed focus
Doncic echoed Reaves’ irritation and urged the Lakers to approach the remainder of the schedule with a must-win mentality, saying each game must be treated as critical to avoid slipping into the Play-In Tournament.
The Lakers and Suns meet twice more this season, with playoff positioning potentially on the line.
Source: Lakers Nation
