LOS ANGELES — Guard Austin Reaves delivered 29 points and drew a decisive fourth-quarter charge, helping the Los Angeles Lakers edge the L.A. Clippers 125-122 on Feb. 20, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena.
Reaves, recently cleared from a minutes restriction after a calf injury, returned to the starting lineup and shot 9-for-15 from the field, including 4-for-5 from beyond the arc. His key defensive play came with the Lakers clinging to a slim lead when he stepped in front of Bennedict Mathurin, who was whistled for an offensive foul and subsequently fouled out.
“I thought the charge was the play of the game,” head coach JJ Redick said postgame. “Given the circumstances, it was huge.” Redick added that a second charge Reaves attempted was incorrectly ruled, noting, “Had they made the right call, that would’ve been the play of the game.”
The Clippers, who dealt away starters James Harden and Ivica Zubac earlier in the season, stayed close under head coach Tyronn Lue but could not overcome Reaves’ late-game heroics. The Lakers improved to 35-18.
Luka Dončić led Los Angeles with an all-around effort, while Marcus Smart and Deandre Ayton provided crucial fourth-quarter contributions. Smart, praised by Redick for his defense, drilled consecutive late threes and converted an and-one. Ayton executed the defensive game plan “at a really high level,” according to the coach.
Reaves, who opened the 2025-26 campaign in All-Star form before his injury, said a healthy roster is key for the stretch run. The Lakers have battled injuries to LeBron James, Dončić and several role players throughout the season.
Los Angeles next faces a three-game road trip as it continues to chase playoff positioning with its core finally intact.
Source: LakersNation
