Austin Reeves Bounces Back in Game 2 Against the Thunder

After a rough performance in Game 1 of the Lakers’ playoff series against the Thunder, Austin Reeves faced a lot of scrutiny. Despite showing All-Star potential for much of the season, whispers of doubt surfaced. The narrative seemed to shift dramatically:

He’s not up to the challenge. He falters in the playoffs. Is he really worth a maximum contract?

Being a Laker brings extra visibility, and playing alongside LeBron James only cranks up the pressure. Reeves scored just eight points in Game 1, shooting 3-for-16 and going 0-for-5 from three-point land. It was a tough cloud to shake off.

With so many eyes on him, it’s easy for players to spiral under this kind of pressure. Basketball may look physical, but, really, it’s a mental game—especially for shooters.

So, how did Reeves handle it? Surprisingly, he credited a certain “delusional confidence” he’s carried throughout the season. In Game 2, he erupted for a career-high 31 points, making 10 of his 16 attempts, including 3-for-6 from beyond the arc. Unfortunately, the Lakers still lost 125-107 to the league’s top defense.

Reeves skillfully maneuvered past defenders like Cason Wallace, who had often disrupted his rhythm this season. He took on towering figures like Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein without hesitation, proving his mettle.

His performance was, in a way, a resounding answer to all the skepticism. LeBron James remarked, “Austin is Austin,” while Lakers coach JJ Redick simply stated, “He just played a solid game.”

Those in Reeves’ circle weren’t surprised. He’s always pushed past obstacles—remember, he went undrafted in 2021 before the Lakers signed him. Now, he’s in a position to decline his player option and possibly secure a substantial contract extension with the team.

He’s even become the Lakers’ second scoring option, averaging a remarkable 23.3 points per game this season, hitting almost 50% of his field goals and 36% from three-point range.

Reeves embodies the kind of player everyone wants on their team. He’s confident, approachable, and always goes full throttle. While critics wondered if he would step up in Game 2, those closest to him had no fears.

James defended him, referencing the fact that Game 1 was only his third game back from an oblique strain. He reassured everyone, saying, “We know he’s going to make shots and make plays.” Redick described Reeves as “his own worst critic,” emphasizing that outside criticism hardly fazes him. “He’s one of the least chronically online NBA players,” Redick added.

Ultimately, Reeves did what great shooters do. He entered the second game with solid faith and a fresh mindset, fully immersed in the present rather than dwelling on past misfires.

He led all scorers and kept the Lakers competitive for much of the game before they fell behind 2-0 in the series. More importantly, he quashed the swirling negativity that threatened to overwhelm him. After the game, when asked about his resurgence, he shrugged off any notions of overthinking. “How did you get your rhythm back?” someone asked. “Did you study film?” he was probed.

“No,” he replied simply. “I just played basketball.”