When the Lakers needed a spark, Austin Reaves went silent. In Game 1 of their second-round playoff series against the Thunder, the rising star delivered a performance that left fans and teammates searching for answers. The result? A disappointing 108-90 loss that could have been theirs for the taking.
Reaves sat by his locker with his feet in an ice bucket, staring at the ground and speaking in hushed tones. The numbers told a brutal story: 3-for-16 from the field, 0-for-5 from beyond the arc, and just eight points. It was the worst field goal percentage by any Laker with at least 15 shot attempts in a playoff game over the last 35 years, according to ESPN Insights.
This was supposed to be the Lakers' moment to steal a game. They were rusty after an eight-day layoff, but the Thunder were missing Jalen Williams due to a hamstring strain. Even Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had an off night with 18 points and seven turnovers—his lowest scoring and highest turnover totals of the season. The door was wide open.
But with Luka Doncic sidelined and his 33.5 points per game absent from the lineup, Reaves wasn't just an option—he was essential. The Lakers were facing the NBA's top-rated defense, and they needed the version of Reaves who looked like an All-Star this season, the one who averaged a career-high 23.3 points on 49 percent shooting. The version who seemed destined for a maximum contract extension this summer.
"I got to get my spots multiple times and just missed a couple of easy shots," Reaves said after the game, searching for answers.
It's worth noting that Reaves is still finding his rhythm after returning on April 29 from a strained oblique suffered on April 2. But in the playoffs, there are no excuses. The Lakers needed a scoring explosion, and instead, they got a disappearing act.
Reaves has been a revelation this season, emerging as the Lakers' second scoring option ahead of even LeBron James—arguably the greatest player of all time. He's eligible for a contract worth a quarter of a billion dollars this summer. But performances like this one raise questions about whether he's ready for that kind of spotlight.
James did his part, but one superstar can't carry the load alone. If the Lakers want to keep their championship hopes alive, Reaves needs to step up. Because right now, without his best game, the Lakers have no chance.