Social Media Reacts: Austin Reaves pours in 23 points, Lakers upset Grizzlies to start NBA playoffs
Austin Reaves is transforming into a household name in front of our very eyes. Sunday’s performance for the Lakers in the first round of the NBA playoffs in front of a national audience is starting to cement his place in the league.
The Los Angeles Lakers fought back from a horrid 2-10 start to make the NBA play-in tournament. They defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves, lock themselves into the No. 7 seed, and face the second-seeded Memphis Grizzlies.
Despite having two top-25 players in LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Lakers are the underdogs in the series. On Sunday, they didn’t look the part as the Lake Show reeled off a 128-112 victory on the Grizzlies’ home court.
Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura shined so bright for the Lakers.
Reaves was magnificent in the fourth quarter, ending the night with 23 points in his 31 minutes of action. He did so on a perfect 5 of 5 shooting from the field with two 3-pointers and two free throws for 14 points in the fourth quarter.
Reaves’ performance was impressive because it was his first playoff game on the road against the team in the NBA with the best home record during the regular season.
The fourth quarter was highly contested until the last two minutes when the Lakers blitzed the Grizzlies after going up 108-101 with under 4 minutes left. Reaves was given the keys to the offensive operation by LeBron and Anthony Davis and delivered as they let the offense run through the former Sooner in crunch time.
Here’s a look at some of the best reactions on Twitter to Austin Reaves’ performance.
Dame recognize Game
My bad … Reaves like that 🙏🏽
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) April 16, 2023
Hillbilly Kobe is becoming just like Kobe
Austin Reaves is the 3rd Laker in the last 25 seasons to finish 5-5 FG or better in the 4th quarter of a playoff game.
He joins Kobe Bryant against the Spurs in 2002 and Shaquille O'Neal against the Pacers in 2000. pic.twitter.com/0dk19HQE7F
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 16, 2023
Trae Young weighs in on a fellow Sooner
Austin Reaves getting that bag this summer.. My boy cookin!!
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) April 16, 2023
Reaves shows out in front of his family and friends
Austin Reaves grew up about two hours from Memphis.
Today, he put on a show in front of his friends and family who came out to support 🙏 pic.twitter.com/0XjbUGoeWg
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 16, 2023
Mike Breen stamp of approval
Austin Reaves got a “BANG” from Mike Breen in a playoffs game. My dream came true pic.twitter.com/HCHh2S5ZZq
— Lakers Empire (@LakersEmpire) April 16, 2023
AustHIM Reaves
Austin Reaves yelling "I'M HIM!" in his first playoff game 🗣️
WHAT A TIME.pic.twitter.com/RVypxy3aMC
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) April 16, 2023
"Who do you think you are? I am!"
How Austin Reaves looking at the Grizzlies pic.twitter.com/mF9MlJHDwy
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) April 16, 2023
The Moment
Whatever LeBron told Austin Reaves here, it changed everything pic.twitter.com/TDbTI2qlFv
— 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒆 🌩 (@Three_Cone) April 16, 2023
Austin Reaves taking the world by storm
I wish I could build a time machine, go back 6 months, and tell myself that Austin Reaves would be screaming I'M HIM during a playoff game next to LeBron and everyone on earth would be like yeah he's right
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) April 16, 2023
Crunch Time Reaves
Austin Reaves 👉 HIM pic.twitter.com/Ev18yfUdfA
— Oklahoma Basketball (@OU_MBBall) April 16, 2023
Yo!!!
RT if you love AUSTIN REAVES pic.twitter.com/QFdZiKuUUL
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) April 16, 2023
Sooners Fans been Knowing
Austin Reaves at Cedar Ridge High School in Newark, Arkansas:
• 32.5 PPG, 8.8 RPG his senior year (2016)
• scored 73 points in a game
• avg. 43.3 PPG in 4 games at state tourney his senior year to win state titleMaybe, Reaves has always been Him. pic.twitter.com/sAmjHoe5iv
— Ben Stevens (@BenScottStevens) April 16, 2023
Perk loving it
Austin Reaves screaming “I’m him” while giving the Grizzlies a straight spanking today was what I needed on the beautiful Sunday afternoon!!!! Lakers in 6. Carry on…
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) April 16, 2023
What a time to be alive
LeBron playing off the ball to Austin Reaves down the stretch of a playoff game is the closest we will get to MyPlayer in real life.
— Erik (@SikkCaden) April 16, 2023
