Austin Reaves erupts for career-high 51 as Lakers top Kings without Luka Doncic and LeBron James

Austin Reaves erupted for a career-high 51 points, while Deandre Ayton added 22 points and a game-best 15 rebounds, lifting the shorthanded Los Angeles Lakers to a 127-120 win over the host Sacramento Kings on Sunday night. With Luka Doncic a late scratch due to finger and lower-leg issues and LeBron James still sidelined, Reaves stepped into the spotlight, surpassing his previous high of 45 points set last February against Indiana. He also collected 11 rebounds and nine assists, narrowly missing his fourth career triple-double.


Reaves sank six three-pointers, including three in the fourth quarter during a pivotal surge that flipped a four-point deficit into an 11-point advantage. Trailing 101-97 after a Domantas Sabonis three-pointer with 9:50 left, the Lakers responded by scoring 20 of the next 25 points to seize control.


Reaves powered the run with back-to-back threes and added a third following an Ayton basket to spark an 11-0 burst. Rui Hachimura, Ayton and Jake LaRavia then contributed key buckets to push the lead beyond reach.


Zach LaVine pulled Sacramento within 122-119 with 1:30 to play, but Reaves iced the game with four late free throws, capping a 21-for-22 performance at the line. Overall, the Lakers dominated the stripe, outscoring the Kings 41-12.

Hachimura finished with 18 points, while LaRavia and Marcus Smart scored 11 apiece. The Lakers played their third straight game without James, still nursing a back issue.


LaVine led Sacramento with 32 points, while Sabonis (10 points, 14 rebounds) and Dennis Schroder (18 points, 12 assists) recorded double-doubles. Despite outscoring Los Angeles 54-24 from deep, the Kings couldn’t stop Reaves’ career night.