Home Basketball Austin Reaves Makes 7 Three-Pointers as Lakers Surprise Celtics with 114-105 Victory, Absent LeBron James and Anthony Davis

Austin Reaves Makes 7 Three-Pointers as Lakers Surprise Celtics with 114-105 Victory, Absent LeBron James and Anthony Davis

Basketball — 02/02/2024

Austin Reaves Powers Short-Handed Lakers to Surprise Victory Over Celtics

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - FEBRUARY 01: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball during the second quarter of a game against the Boston Celtics at the TD Garden on February 01, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)

In a stunning upset, the Los Angeles Lakers, without key players LeBron James and Anthony Davis, secured a 114-105 victory over the Boston Celtics on Thursday night, propelled by Austin Reaves’ remarkable performance.

Reaves lit up the court, scoring a season-high 32 points and sinking a career-best seven 3-pointers, finishing 7 of 10 from beyond the arc. The Lakers, missing their star duo, made an impressive 19 of 36 3-point attempts, holding off the NBA-leading Celtics and ending a two-game losing streak.

D’Angelo Russell contributed significantly with 16 points, 14 assists, and eight rebounds, while Jaxon Hayes added 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Lakers. Despite missing key players, the young Lakers lineup demonstrated resilience, taking an early 11-point lead and making 13 first-half 3-pointers to establish a 60-46 advantage.

Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 23 points, but Boston struggled with 15 turnovers. The Celtics, who started the season with a 20-0 home record, have now lost three of their last five games at TD Garden.

Although the Celtics mounted a comeback in the third quarter, narrowing the gap to 77-71 with a 12-2 run fueled by four consecutive 3-pointers, the Lakers maintained control. The Celtics never got closer than seven points in the fourth quarter, and the short-handed Lakers secured a surprising win on the road.

Jarred Vanderbilt made a notable impact for the Lakers with 10 points, seven rebounds, and three steals in just 16 minutes, but he left the game in the first half due to right foot soreness after an impressive defensive play against Tatum.

The absence of both LeBron James and Anthony Davis marked the first time this season that the Lakers played without their star duo. Coach Darvin Ham noted that the injuries are ongoing concerns for both players, and it remains uncertain how long they will be sidelined. 

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The Lakers, currently in ninth place in the competitive Western Conference playoff race, showcased their depth and resilience in the absence of their key stars.