"Played like a monster": Austin Reaves Publicly Challenges $16,208,000 Lakers Teammate to Maintain Greatness Nightly

Austin Reaves stole the spotlight for the LA Lakers in their 127-120 win over the Sacramento Kings on Sunday. Despite putting up a career-best scoring night, Reaves made sure to acknowledge Deandre Ayton's impactful contribution.

Reaves finished the game with 51 points and 11 rebounds, marking the best performance of his young career. However, he showed real leadership by sharing the credit. Reaves praised Ayton for his dominant showing and encouraged him to sustain this level as the season progressed.

"He played like a monster tonight, and that's what we need every single night,” Reaves spoke about Ayton.

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Ayton had his best game since joining the Lakers, putting up 22 points and 15 rebounds at the Golden 1 Center. It was his first double-double of the regular season and his highest totals in both categories for the team so far. The big man, who is on a two-year, $16,208,000 deal, also recorded his first assists and steal of the season.

Austin Reaves gets praised by Lakers teammates and coaches

As expected, Austin Reaves received an incredible reception after his explosive performance that helped the Lakers secure their second win of the season. Head coach JJ Redick was one of the most vocal in praising Reaves, lauding his competitiveness and tenacity.

“This is a small-town kid from Arkansas who went undrafted, who last year averaged 20 ball in the NBA, and just had a 50 ball,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick. “These moments are incredible for him. I think his teammates see that; as a coaching staff, we see that. He just lives in the moment and he’s ready for every single moment that comes.”

Teammates LeBron James and Jarred Vanderbilt also took to social media to shower their teammate with lofty compliments.

“50 piece 🐔 nugget!!!!! That boy AR TOOOO TOUGH!!” James wrote on X. “AR15! That boy cold,” Vanderbilt wrote on X.

Over the past four seasons, Austin Reaves has consistently raised his level of play, proving that he is ready to take the next step and deliver All-Star caliber numbers. So far, he has been proving his worth, averaging 34.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 9.7 assists through three games.

Considering he’s the Lakers’ third scoring option behind Luka Doncic and LeBron James, it shows just how deep this team’s offense really is.

Edited by Advait Jajodia