FIRE performance: Unsung hero Austin Reaves makes Lakers fans yell at him as man of match when leading team beat Bucks excellently

Austin Reaves had another “I’m him” moment when he led the Lakers to a huge comeback win over the Bucks on the road in a very exciting double-overtime game on Tuesday. Even though they were down 19 points in the first half, the Lakers shocked Milwaukee by beating them 128–124. The fact that LA didn’t have LeBron James also made the win and Reaves’ play even better.

BasketballNews.com on X: "Austin Reaves tonight: 🟨29 PTS 🟨14 REB 🟨10 AST  Second career triple-double and W. https://t.co/oAzhno9dDh" / X

The third-year guard finished the game with 29 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists, making 50.0% of his shots and making 4 of 11 three-pointers and 5 of 6 free throws. It was his second career triple-double. It was one against Damian Lillard and the other against Khris Middleton. Another thing Reaves did was stop two shots.

Fans of the Lakers called Reaves the “best White player” in the league again after he had another great game. These are some of the responses that came next:

Lakers' Austin Reaves confident shooting game-winner versus Bucks - Los  Angeles Times

“Coldest White Boy in the League,” one fan wrote on Twitter.

Austin Reaves fills in for LeBron James once more

Austin Reaves was good at both ends of the court against the Bucks, which let him make a big difference in the first half even though he didn’t score many points. First 24 minutes, Reaves only scored five points, grabbed two rebounds, and handed out three passes while making only two of six shots. He had -22.

Lakers fans call Austin Reaves best 'white' NBA player after Bucks beatdown

He changed things after the break, scoring eight points in the third, seven points in the fourth, four points in the first overtime, and five points in the second overtime. Reaves made a crucial three-pointer with 1:11 left in regulation to tie the game at two points. He then made two free throws with 31 seconds left in the first overtime to put the Lakers ahead by one, and with 0:39 left in double overtime, he made the game-winning three-pointer to put LA ahead by three points.

Austin Reaves had stepped up before when LeBron James was around. He also scored 32 points in a win in Boston at TD Garden on February 1 and had 18 points, five rebounds, and seven assists in a home win against the Bucks on March 8.

Austin Reaves could be the 3rd star the Lakers have been waiting for |  theScore.com

Last year, Reaves won a starting spot with the Lakers because of how well he played without LeBron. He continued to do so during the team’s run to the conference finals.

Austin Reaves earned the trust of the Lakers’ stars and coaches last year, and he’s keeping it since signing a $53.8 million deal this summer. The Lakers want to get out of ninth place in the standings and hope that Reaves keeps up this level of play.

NBA Retweet on X: "AUSTIN REAVES TONIGHT: 29 points 14 rebounds 10 assists  2 blocks  https://t.co/vCpoqCXz9Y" / X

After Tuesday’s huge win, they moved up to 40–32 and are still in the running for the top six spots.