On Wednesday night, the Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Houston Rockets by a score of 99-93 in Game 5 (at home).
Despite, the loss Austin Reaves made his return to action.
He put up 22 points, four rebounds, six assists and one block while shooting 4/16 from the field and 2/8 from three-point range in 34 minutes of playing time.
The former Oklahoma star had been out since April 2.
NBA World Reacts To Austin Reaves’ Performance
Here’s what people were saying about Reaves’ performance:
Skip Bayless: “Austin Reaves flops as hard as he plays.”
Kevin O’Connor: “Austin Reaves looks like he hasn’t missed any time at all.”
Mike Trudell: “Austin Reaves makes his playoff debut with 5:39 to go in the 1st Q.”
Dave McMenamin: “Lakers up 28-21 after 1Q. Austin Reaves had 8 pts and 2 ast in 6 mins in his first shift in a month.”
StatMuse: “Austin Reaves in his return in Game 5: 22 PTS 6 AST 4-14 FG 12-13 FT Only his second game in April.”
@NBAWAYOFFS: “It’s really nice to see Austin Reaves back out there for the Lakers, but they do have to clean up some of this sloppiness to end this series tonight.”
@playboyswervo: “The Houston Rockets are already doubling Austin Reaves😂”
Melissa Rohlin: “Austin Reaves gets a standing ovation as he checks in with 5:39 left in the first.”
Legion Hoops: “Austin Reaves tonight: 4/16 FG – 2/8 3P – 12/13 FT LeBron James tonight: 9/20 FG – 0/6 3P – 7/10 FT Brutal…”
Reaves And The Lakers
Reaves is in the middle of his fifth year playing for the Lakers.
He had another very productive season with averages of 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.1 steals per contest while shooting 49.0% from the field and 36.0% from three-point range in 51 games.
“I wish I could get a little bit more of a rhythm, before jumping into the fire like that, but I had a lot of fun out there.”
The Lakers still lead the series 3-2.
Game 6 will be back in Houston on Friday night.
If necessary, Game 7 will be in Los Angeles on Sunday.
NBA World Reacts To Austin Reaves’ Performance In Rockets-Lakers Game