Austin Reaves extends hot streak with game-winning buzzer-beater to lift Lakers

Austin Reaves delivered yet another clutch performance Wednesday night, topping off a sensational outing with a game-winning floater at the buzzer to lift the Los Angeles Lakers to a 116-115 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Reaves finished with 28 points and a career-best 16 assists, continuing his breakout stretch while stars Luka Doncic (leg, finger injuries) and LeBron James (sciatica) remain sidelined.

The shot capped a remarkable week for Reaves, who has carried the Lakers in the absence of their top players. He poured in a career-high 51 points, along with 11 rebounds and 9 assists, in Sunday’s win over Sacramento and followed it with a 41-point showing against Portland on Monday. On Wednesday, with 6.6 seconds left, he took a sideline inbounds pass, split a double team from elite defenders Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert, and floated in a twisting 12-footer over Donte DiVincenzo as time expired.

Reaves said he “blacked out” after the shot went in, sprinting toward the Lakers’ bench as his teammates rushed to celebrate. “That guy is going to show up in the big moments,” coach JJ Redick said afterward. “I’m not surprised—he’s done that plenty of times before.”