Los Angeles Lakers legend James Worthy praised the way Austin Reeves has served as the team’s leader.
Austin Reeves has joined the Los Angeles Lakers’ elite list of players scoring 50 or more points in a game.
Reeves recorded a career-high 51 wins, 11-9 points in a 127-120 road win over the Sacramento Kings.
His contribution comes at the perfect time with Luka Doncic and LeBron James out with injuries.
Reaves explained after the game that Luka Doncic told him he wanted 60 points. He got as close as he could.
Los Angeles Lakers legend James Worthy gave his verdict on Austin Reeves’ great performance on the Los Angeles Lakers postgame show.
The Showtime Lakers star said the key to Austin Reeves’ great night’s performance was the hard work he put in over the summer.
Worthy explained: “He joins a list of undrafted players that they probably think they’ll never be on, and that’s a credit to Austin.”
“That’s also a credit to what he’s done this offseason. He’s had to work on his body and mind this offseason. I know this is a contract year, but I don’t think he’s thought about it too much.”
ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins warned the Lakers after the game that keeping Reaves next season would be very expensive.
Worthy believes Reeves’ only motivation is a desire to be the best player he can be, not purely for money.
He said he was most impressed with Reeves’ leadership.
“He just wants to be the best player he can be and a leader.”
“We obviously have LeBron, Luka, but this guy can do it as well. He’s proven he can lead a team. I love Austin Reeves. He’s a great player and he led. He’s a great player.”
“It was a really great collective effort led by Austin.”
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Scoring over 50 points is difficult, a feat that James Worthy was unable to accomplish on his own while wearing a Los Angeles Lakers jersey.
Worthy’s career high was 38 points, which he achieved twice in 1988 and 1989.
Reaves has the most individual points of any Lakers player this season, surpassing Luka Doncic’s 43 and 49 points in the first two games.