Austin Reaves, Lakers rally past Bucks sans LeBron James
MILWAUKEE – Staring at a double-digit deficit midway through the fourth quarter without LeBron James available, Austin Reaves and the Los Angeles Lakers faced a clear choice.
“It was one of those moments that you could either flip the page to tomorrow, get ready for that game or you could go out and compete 110% and give yourself an opportunity or at least try to allow yourself to get back in the game,” Reaves said.
The Lakers chose the latter option and delivered a comeback for the ages.
Reaves had his second career triple-double and made a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 38.6 seconds left in the second overtime as the Lakers overcame James’ absence and rallied to beat the Milwaukee Bucks 128124 on Tuesday night.
Reaves had 29 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists in 47 minutes as the Lakers opened a six-game trip by winning their fourth straight despite trailing by 19 points in the fourth quarter and never leading in regulation. Anthony Davis provided 34 points and 23 rebounds while playing 52 minutes despite dealing with a knee problem late in the game.
“A 20-point lead in this league now, it’s nothing because of the way the offense is right now in the league, so high-powered that you can wipe away a lead pretty fast,” Davis said.
The Lakers won’t have much time to celebrate their stunning comeback. They’re playing again on Wednesday at Memphis.
Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo had 29 points, a season-high 21 rebounds, and 11 assists for his ninth triple-double of the season. Damian Lillard scored 27 but shot 9 of 29. Malik Beasley added 21. / AP
James had an issue with his left ankle that prevented him from being available as the Lakers opened a six-game trip. /