Luka Doncic Credits Austin Reaves for Simplifying Offense in Lakers’ 110-97 Win Over Knicks
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The Los Angeles Lakers’ backcourt delivered again on Wednesday night, and Luka Doncic says teammate Austin Reaves made life easy in the 110-97 home victory over the New York Knicks.
With LeBron James sidelined for a second straight game, Reaves broke out of an eight-game stretch under 20 points by scoring 25. The guard added four rebounds, five assists and three steals while repeatedly attacking the paint. Doncic paced the offense with 35 points and eight rebounds.
After the game at Crypto.com Arena, Doncic praised Reaves’ impact.
“It’s just great being his teammate,” Doncic said. “Obviously, he needs to be aggressive like this, but just playing with him is so easy because he draws so much attention, helps others too. So, just playing with him, it makes my life easy.”
The duo’s production helped Los Angeles improve to 2-0 without James during the mini-absence. Reaves’ penetration consistently forced New York’s defense to collapse, creating space for Doncic and reducing the point guard’s playmaking burden.
Reaves credited the Lakers’ defensive energy for the win, saying the team simply “played harder” than the Knicks. Los Angeles held New York to 97 points, well below its season average.
The Lakers will look to extend their momentum when they continue their homestand later this week.
Source: Lakers Nation
