Reaves Drops 43 as Lakers Edge Pistons 121-116

Austin Reaves scored a season-high 43 points to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 121-116 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Sunday. The win gave the Lakers their fifth consecutive win and improved their record to 9-2, while the Pistons fell to 6-3.

Luka Doncic, who leads the league in scoring at 40.1 points per game, missed the game due to lower-back tightness. Reaves filled the void by converting 14 of 27 field-goal attempts. He made four of six three-pointers and shot 11 for 11 from the free-throw line against the NBA's top-ranked defense.

The Lakers established a 38-14 lead in the first quarter. Quentin Grimes scored 10 of his 12 points during that opening run. Collin Sexton and Ziaire Williams each added 17 points off the bench. Walker Kessler contributed 12 points, 16 rebounds, and three blocks.

Detroit cut the deficit significantly in the second half. From 2:30 in the third quarter to 9:14 in the fourth, the Pistons outscored the Lakers by eight points. That run left Los Angeles ahead by only one point at 90-89 with Reaves on the bench. Coach JJ Redick said he kept Reaves out because he had already played 28 of the first 33 minutes.

Reaves described his performance as lucky. He noted that a third-quarter step-back three that hit the backboard reminded him of a shot Doncic would take. He also scored a basket while falling out of bounds after hitting the corner of the backboard.

Sexton said the team needed others to step up with Doncic missing. Kessler added that the team feels the same regardless of which guard scores. The Lakers continue their road trip in Atlanta on Monday, where Redick expects Doncic to return.

Doncic has missed two games this season, both due to back tightness during back-to-back schedules. Los Angeles won both of those games. Reaves called himself a lucky player for his unusual baskets.