The Los Angeles Lakers blew out the Houston Rockets, 98-78, in Game 6 to advance to the second round of the playoffs on Friday. However, there was a scary moment for Lakers fans in the final few minutes when Amen Thompson shoved Austin Reaves to the floor while fighting for a rebound.
Reaves would limp off the court at the 5:55 mark of the fourth quarter and not return. The Lakers led by a margin of 86-62 and emptied their bench subsequently.
Although Thompson was hit with a loose-ball foul for his play on Reaves, Lakers fans feel the Rockets guard should be hit with a harsher penalty, with some calling for a suspension to start the 2026-27 season.
Lakers Fans Rip Amen Thompson
Bron Muse: AMEN THOMPSON NEEDS TO BE SUSPENDED FOR THIS!!!!! LETS PRAY AUSTIN REAVES IS OK 🙏
Dr. Evan Jeffries, DPT: Ausar Thompson (sic) trying to take Austin Reaves OUT the second round
Lakers Muse: UNBELIEVABLY DIRTY PLAY BY AMEN THOMPSON ON AUSTIN REAVES???? HURT HIM FOR NO REASON 🤬
Full Court Pass: Austin Reaves left the game limping after Amen Thompson threw him to the ground
More reactions:
“HE NEEDS A 25 GAME SUSPENSION FOR NEXT SEASON THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE!!!!!”
“I’m a fan of Amen, but man he can be such a sore loser.”
“Some people just don’t know how to take an L”
Austin Reaves, Lakers Advance
Fortunately, Reaves survived a scare as he brushed off injury concerns in his postgame news conference.
Reaves returned to the starting unit for the first time since his oblique injury on April 2, finishing with 15 points, two assists and three blocks while shooting 50% from the field.
LeBron James was the star of the show for the Lakers. The 41-year-old dropped 28 points, eight assists and seven rebounds and was a team-high +26 on the floor.
Reaves couldn’t stop raving about the elder statesman after the win.
“I told him ‘You’re insane – the stuff you’re doing is … not normal.’ Age, whatever, he’s been in the league for 23 years, the way he controls the game?” Reaves said of his postgame conversation with James, via Mike Trudell.
“It’s impressive. I don’t think you can say with words how special (it is). I’m happy I don’t have to play against him.”
Lakers Fans Blast Amen Thompson’s ‘Dirty Play’ on Austin Reaves