The Los Angeles Lakers are in trouble. After a last-minute loss to the Denver Nuggets on March 14, they are now on a season-worst four-game losing streak. Things weren’t looking great when they took the court against the Nuggets. They were missing key players, including LeBron James, and had a stretched-thin roster. Yet, in the middle of all the chaos, Austin Reaves nearly pulled off a miracle for the Lakers.
With the Lakers shorthanded, Reaves put on a show, leading the team to the brink of victory — only for it to slip away in the final seconds. But even after the heartbreaking loss, Reaves had a clear message: This team isn’t backing down.
Reaves Stays Confident Even as Lakers Struggle
Speaking after the game, Reaves made it clear that no matter the situation, the Lakers always step on the court expecting to win.
“You always wanna win, regardless of who you take the floor with. We felt like we could win and put ourselves in a good position to do that. With 28 seconds left, to go up two, they come down, kind of went to what they went to in the last two, three minutes. You know, losing sucks, but I’m happy with what these guys in the locker room did tonight.”
Even with James, Rui Hachimura, and Jaxson Hayes out, Reaves stepped up in a big way. He put up an impressive 22 points and 10 assists in the first half alone — something only Kobe Bryant had done before in Lakers history.
"Losing sucks, but I'm happy with what these guys in the locker room did tonight."
Austin Reaves (37 points, 8 rebounds, 13 assists) speaks with @LakersReporter and the media after the Lakers lose 131-126. #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/BrtecHZMeG
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) March 15, 2025
After the game, Reaves reflected on the situation and his mindset when stepping onto the court.
“Basketball is just fun, you know. I’d be lying to you if I said that at some point between before the game and last night, when everybody was trying to figure out if they are playing or not, for a second I was like, ‘Lot of guys out.’ You know, they told me to go play, so I will play.”
“We went 0-4, so it’s a pretty bad trip. But … JJ said, ‘A week ago, everybody’s like Lakers in five.’ So we just don’t listen to any of it,” Reaves said. “We know when we’re fully healthy and got everybody on the team that we have a really good chance to beat anybody.”
Reaves praised the team’s effort, acknowledging their determination to fight for the win.
“I just see this group coming together, locking in on one common goal, and that’s to win. And tonight, I think, is the biggest testament to that. Very shorthanded and went and played a really good basketball team with probably the best player in the world. And went toe to toe and had an opportunity to win it and just didn’t execute the last 50 seconds.”
Lakers’ Late-Game Collapse Extends Their Losing Streak
The Lakers entered Friday’s game on a three-game losing streak and without several key players. Despite that, they fought hard against the defending NBA champions.
Reaves’ big night kept the Lakers in it until the final moments. They led by three in the last minute, but Jamal Murray’s clutch three in the closing seconds sealed a 131-126 win for Denver.
Reaves finished with 37 points, eight rebounds, and 13 assists — his 20th career double-double and ninth this season.
The loss dropped the Lakers to fifth in the conference. But with players still working their way back from injuries, Reaves and the team remain hopeful they’ll bounce back.