Austin Reeves’ Rocky Return to Oklahoma in Playoffs

The journey back should feel welcoming, right? But for Lakers guard Austin Reeves, his return during the first two playoff games against the Thunder was anything but. It was a rough ride.

Facing off against the Thunder was meant to be a nostalgic moment for Reeves. He hails from Newark, Arkansas—a small town of about 1,000 people. He spent considerable time perfecting his basketball skills at the University of Oklahoma, just a short drive from Oklahoma City.

Family, friends, and familiar faces made the trek from Arkansas and Norman, eager to see Reeves, once dubbed “Hillbilly Kobe,” back in action.

Yet, the trip didn’t start well for him. In Game 1, things took a turn for the worse. It was a struggle—a complete unraveling that felt almost palpable. By the end, he tallied just eight points on 3-of-16 shooting, including a disheartening 0-of-5 from three-point land. His shooting percentage marked the lowest in Lakers playoff history for anyone taking 15 or more shots.

“There were a lot of people here,” Reeves commented after the game. “It stings when you don’t perform well.”

That disappointing performance lingered as Game 2 approached, but somehow, it didn’t break him. He’s managed to build a career on what he terms “delusional confidence.” It’s been a part of him since he was a kid, allowing him to believe in himself even when others doubted.

In Game 2, that confidence paid off. He exploded for 31 points, marking a playoff career high. But it came with a price—he also had five turnovers and got into a few heated exchanges with officials, resulting in a postgame incident that garnered attention.

“He turned around and yelled in my face… I thought that was disrespectful,” Reeves expressed, visibly frustrated. “We’re adults here. If we acted out first, I’m sure there would be consequences.”

The game itself mirrored the tension. The Lakers held a five-point lead until the Thunder surged ahead with a staggering 22-4 run, bolstered by questionable officiating that saw the Lakers called for ten fouls, while the Thunder received 14 free throw opportunities during an especially contentious stretch. Reeves found himself caught in the chaos.

When it was all said and done, the Lakers had lost the first two games by 18 points and found themselves in a 0-2 hole in the series. Ironically, Reeves expressed his feelings about Oklahoma, saying, “It doesn’t hold the same meaning anymore.” This is a “hometown” he never quite viewed as home.

Reeves hasn’t lived in Oklahoma since 2021. He’s been in Los Angeles for five years now but still returns to Arkansas during the off-season to unwind with family and indulge in some golf. So, it seems, Oklahoma means something entirely different to him now—a mere memory of another grueling NBA schedule.

Now, as the series heads to Hollywood, the energy is different, and the faces aren’t as familiar. But the pressure remains. If the Lakers have any hopes of turning this series around, they really need Austin Reeves to step up.