Image Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

“For him to go undrafted is unbelievable” – Luka Doncic makes huge statement on fellow Lakers teammate

Luka Doncic is shocked by the lack of recognition for his fellow teammate, who scored a team-high performance against the Spurs.

Image Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Los Angeles Lakers won two straight games in their five-game homestand without their star guard, LeBron James. Luka Doncic, who scored 33 points on his return from injury, fell short of a rebound to record a triple-double in the Lakers’ 125-109 victory over the Spurs.

JJ Redick rolled out a doozy of a lineup in Los Angeles and Luka Doncic had a charge in offense. Meanwhile, the former Mavs star required good support like LeBron on Monday night and the role was fulfilled by a fourth-year guard.

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He was none other than Austin Reaves, who has arguably become the best third option in the league. In the absence of Lebron James, Reaves impacted the Lakers’ offense and brought a different energy to Redick’s lineup. The 26-year-old scored 30 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists while shooting 12-for-21 from the field.

Austin Reaves led the way for the Lakers in their 2nd win in 2 days!

🏀 30 PTS
🏀 7 REB
🏀 6 AST
🏀 2 STL
🏀 5 3PM pic.twitter.com/HJsMlfTb5e
— NBA (@NBA) March 18, 2025

Luka Doncic in disbelief of Austin Reaves’ journey from being undrafted

Luka Doncic is shocked by the lack of recognition for his fellow teammate, who scored a team-high performance against the Spurs. Los Angeles superstar hailed Austin Reaves, saying that for him to go undrafted is unbelievable.

“I mean, this guy just scored 30 in his fourth game in five days,” Doncic said. “He’s an amazing player. For him to go undrafted is unbelievable. It’s not easy to go undrafted and play at this level and it’s amazing just to be by his side.”

Luka Doncic on Austin Reaves: “This guy just scored 30 in his fourth game in five days. He's an amazing player. For him to go undrafted is unbelievable.” #Lakeshow pic.twitter.com/QBUJUFoAgr
— LoJo Media (@LoJoMedia) March 18, 2025

Austin Reaves went undrafted in the 2021 NBA draft after declining to be selected 42nd overall by the Pistons. He signed a two-way contract with the Lakers and later, got a standard NBA contract. The former Wichita State student made his Lakers debut after one year in 2022-23 season.

Last week, Reaves led the Lakers in a valiant fight against the Nuggets in a 131-126 defeat. He scored 37 points, 13 assists and 8 rebounds. Over the last five Lakers games when LeBron didn’t play, the 26-year-old has averaged 28 points on a 48.4. percent shooting from the floor.

The Lakers were on a four-game losing streak when they opened up a five-game homestand. The Purple and Gold beat the Phoenix Suns on Sunday and added one more win by beating the San Antonio Spurs on Monday. Two-game winning streak will be crucial ahead of two big matchups against the Denver Nuggets and Milwaukee Bucks.

Image Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Los Angeles Lakers

Luka Doncic

NBA 2024-25

Gulshan Sharma

nba

soccer

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A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.