Austin Reaves joins Kobe Bryant, Derek Fisher in elite Lakers group
This season has been a big coming-out party for Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves. As an undrafted rookie last year, he showed his potential, but this year, he has been fulfilling that potential.
He started off the regular season well, as he displayed a much-improved touch from 3-point range, but as the season wore on, he got better, particularly in his ability to create his own shot and get to the free throw line.
Reaves has continued his prowess in his first postseason appearance. After a strong start, he went into a mini-slump late in the first round against the Memphis Grizzlies, but he broke out of it in Game 4 of the second round versus the Golden State Warriors.
After posting 23 points and hitting 5-of-9 from 3-point range in the first game of the Western Conference Finals on Tuesday, he has hit 15 treys in his last four playoff games. That has tied him with Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher for the most 3-pointers in a four-game span in the playoffs in Lakers history.
In his last 4 playoff games, Austin Reaves has hit 15 3's, matching Kobe (2010) and Derek Fisher (2001).
His point totals in those 4: 21, 15, 23 and 23, plus 5.8 assists and 1.3 turnovers.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) May 18, 2023
Many feel he has become the team’s third-best player, and if it is to reach the NBA Finals and possibly win the world championship in the coming weeks, he will likely have more performances like the ones he has had lately.
