Austin Reaves, the former Oklahoma basketball star who went undrafted in 2021, has been making a name for himself with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Reaves fought his way into the rotation despite signing a two-way contract and eventually became a starter.
He has emerged as the third-best player on the team, playing alongside superstars like LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
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Austin Reaves Proved His Worth
In Game 1 of the Lakers' first-round playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies, Reaves proved his worth by scoring 14 points in the fourth quarter, including nine consecutive points to help secure a 128-112 victory. While Anthony Davis dominated early, Austin Reaves, with Rui Hachimura, carried the Lakers to the win in the second half. Reaves has been consistently scoring baskets toward the end of the game, while LeBron appears content to play a supporting role.
As he clinched the win, Reaves shouted, "I'm him!" to announce his presence to the rest of the league. Max contract point guard D'Angelo Russel and the Lakers bench were delighted with his celebration.
"It's a lot of emotions. You dream about being on a stage like this... It's the playoffs. I got hot late and had fun."
Austin Reaves on yelling "I'm him" 🗣️pic.twitter.com/aQwK1EIihQ https://t.co/mzpYrvMrtm— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 16, 2023
Reaves' emergence as a closer is significant for a team that often relies on James and Davis to carry the load. His performance in Game 1 will undoubtedly boost his confidence and cement his position as a fixture in the NBA for years to come. Despite his underdog story, Reaves has proven that he is not just a role player but a valuable asset to any team.
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