LeBron James on trusting Austin Reaves: He gained a lot of trust from me in the Memphis series

Scott Agness @ScottAgnessPacers have a clean injury report (other than Mathurin, obviously) for Friday vs Lakers.LeBron James and Anthony Davis are both listed as questionable to play. – 5:34 PM

Tony East @TonyREastBoth Anthony Davis and LeBron James are questionable for the Lakers tomorrow in Indy against the Pacers. – 5:21 PM

Jovan Buha @jovanbuhaWith Rui Hachimura as a starter this season, the Lakers are 20-10 — a 55-win pace over the course of an 82-game season.On Rui stepping up with LeBron and AD out in consecutive games, rebounding better, adjusting to his fluctuating role and more: theathletic.com/5374509/2024/0… – 2:46 PM

Dave McMenamin @mctenLeBron speaks about managing his chronic left ankle soreness over the remaining nine games of the regular season. Essentially, he has to prioritize health above seeding because if he risks it by pushing too hard and suffers a setback, LAL won’t stand much of a chance at any seed pic.twitter.com/BJOcBOIT2D – 11:57 PM

Jovan Buha @jovanbuhaDarvin Ham was asked if he wishes he went to this current starting lineup of Anthony Davis, LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, Austin Reaves and D’Angelo Russell earlier in the season given Rui’s success as a starter.Here’s his response: pic.twitter.com/zLQqfaddhq – 11:37 PM

Mike Trudell @LakersReporterReaves to LeBron in the locker room after telling him he looked young tonight (LeBron said “But I’m not!”):“You dunked on Scotty Pippen and his son!”We haven’t fact-checked the dunk on Sr., but LeBron did indeed play against father and son, and tonight was the dunk on Jr. – 11:03 PM

Allen Sliwa @AllenSliwaSolid couple days for the LakeShow. Rui, D’Lo & Reaves putting in big minutes these last couple of days and delivering. Lebron comes back and gets a triple double. Just another day at the officeLakers playing some good basketball right now – 10:34 PM

Dave McMenamin @mctenThe Lakers win their fifth in a row, beating MEM 136-124 to improve to 41-32. With AD out, Rui was magnificent 32p on 11-of-14 (career high seven 3s) 10r 2b; LeBron 23p 14r 12a 2s; D-Lo 23p; Prince 15p; Hayes 14p 7r; Dinwiddie 14p 7r; Reaves 13p 11a. – 10:29 PM

Dave McMenamin @mctenWith the Lakers up by 16 with 3 minutes left, LeBron James checks out after 34 minutes: 23 points on 8-for-14 shooting, 14 rebounds, 13 assists, 2 steals for his 4th triple-double of the season – 10:23 PM

Mike Trudell @LakersReporterAfter Anthony Davis carried a huge load last night in Milwaukee, LeBron returned the favor tonight in Memphis, with 23 points on 8 of 14 FG’s, 14 boards and 12 assists plus 2 steals.He was +33 in what will be the 5th straight Lakers win. – 10:23 PM

Mike Trudell @LakersReporterRui is now 7 for 8 from 3 after yet another make and has 32 points.LeBron +34, Reaves +34, Hachimura +38 tonight as LAL lead 115-98. – 10:03 PM

Mike Trudell @LakersReporterLeBron/Reaves went to the bench with LAL up 98-75, with only 3:31 to play in the 3rd Q.The group of Reddish, Russell, Prince, Dinwiddie and Hayes gave up a 17-4 run to close the period, including 3 turnovers in the final 1:24 (2 on Russell, 1 on Dinwiddie).Grizz within 10. – 9:55 PM

Jovan Buha @jovanbuhaThird quarter: Lakers 102, Grizzlies 92LA led 98-71 late in the third. Memphis outscored them 21-4 over the final 4:00. This is a game again. Rui Hachimura has 26 points (five 3s) and 8 rebounds. LeBron has his fourth triple-double of the season: 16/11/10. DLo has 21 points. – 9:54 PM

Khobi Price @khobi_priceLakers, who led by as many as 27 (98-71), enter the 4Q up just 102-92 after struggling in the non-LeBron minutes.Grizzlies outscored Lakers 17-4 in the final 3:31 LeBron and Austin Reaves weren’t on the floor. – 9:54 PM

Mike Trudell @LakersReporterPoor level of focus in the non-LeBron minutes for LAL’s support players tonight.They’ve allowed a 12-3 Memphis run here to aid the Grizzlies in getting right back into the game, from down by as much as 27, to just 13 here at 102-89 with 39.6 seconds left in the 3rd Q. – 9:52 PM

Jovan Buha @jovanbuhaLeBron James has his fourth triple-double of the season tonight: 16 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in 26 minutes. – 9:48 PM

Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothersWith 3:31 left in the third quarter, Rui’s got eight rebounds. Second consecutive game without LeBron or AD that he’s helped pick up the slack on the glass. (Side note: I’d like to see Rui rebound more like this on a regular basis because he should be capable. But still…) AK – 9:45 PM

Mike Trudell @LakersReporterLeBron’s triple-double comes courtesy of Dinwiddie, who hit a 3.James followed with a steal and layup, and has 16 points, 11 boards and 10 assists, putting LAL up 98-71 with 4:11 to play in the 3rd Q. – 9:42 PM

Ryan Wolstat @WolstatSunI haven’t seen this building this empty and quiet in years. Nick Nurse and the Sixers coming here Sunday, followed by (hopefully) LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the Lakers which should juice things up a bit at least. – 9:41 PM

Mike Trudell @LakersReporterLeBron had an awkward landing while drawing a foul on Bane on a drive to the rim, but seems to be fine during the time out after walking to the bench. He remains in the game. – 9:39 PM

Jovan Buha @jovanbuhaLeBron was wincing as he walked to the Lakers’ bench after that collision. He’s staying in the game. – 9:39 PM

Mike Trudell @LakersReporterTerrific floor game from LeBron tonight. He already has 10 boards and 9 assists in 23 minutes to go with 13 points on 6 of 7 FG’s, and is a +22. – 9:35 PM

Jovan Buha @jovanbuhaHalftime: Lakers 69, Grizzlies 61LA outscored Memphis 32-25 in the second quarter. Rui has 16 points. LeBron has 13 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. AR has 7 points and 6 assists. Jaxson Hayes and DLo have 10 points each. LA is shooting 61% and is 14-17 at the FT line (82.4%). – 9:06 PM

Mike Trudell @LakersReporterAustin Reaves just rimmed out on a 3 to end the half, but LAL take a 69-61 lead into halftime as they aim for a 5th straight win.Reaves had 7 points and 6 assists, LeBron 13-7-5, and Hachimura 16 and 4 to lead LAL. – 9:03 PM

Mike Trudell @LakersReporterThe oldest player in the NBA, LeBron (39), just hit a pretty fadeaway J over the youngest player in the NBA, GG Jackson (19), to get to 6 for 6 on the evening towards 13 points with 7 boards and 5 assists as he tries to carry LAL as AD did last night.Lakers lead 62-54. – 8:58 PM

Jovan Buha @jovanbuhaFirst quarter: Lakers 37, Grizzlies 36LA led by 10 points with 3:37 left in the first. Memphis closed the frame on a 16-7 run. The bench struggled with rotations and containing dribble penetration. Jaxson Hayes and Spencer Dinwiddie have 8 points. Austin Reaves has 5 assists. – 8:39 PM

Mike Trudell @LakersReporterThe Lakers were up 7 when LeBron went to the bench, but allowed the Grizzlies to get within 1 by quarter’s end due in part to some poor decision making, with 6 TO’s and 6 3’s conceded helping Memphis to 36 points.LAL hit 13 of 20 FG’s but lead by just 1. – 8:38 PM

Mike Trudell @LakersReporterFive assists already for Austin Reaves coming off his triple-double last night, including B2B alley-oops to LeBron and Hayes, then a drive and kick for Dinwiddie’s 3 that has LAL up 30-20. – 8:28 PM

Damichael Cole @DamichaelCLeBron James just came running out the tunnel. You would’ve thought it was the Memphis Grizzlies if your eyes were closed. A lot of purple and gold in the building tonight. – 7:51 PM

Jovan Buha @jovanbuhaLakers’ starters vs. Memphis:D’Angelo RussellAustin ReavesRui HachimuraLeBron JamesJaxson HayesRecord as starters: 0-0 – 7:32 PM

Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothersPer the Lakers, LeBron will be available tonight, but Anthony Davis, no surprise after logging 52 double-OT minutes in Milwaukee while battling what’s now listed as a left knee hyperextension, is out. AK – 7:05 PM

Khobi Price @khobi_priceLeBron James has been upgraded to available for tonight at Memphis, but Anthony Davis (left knee hyperextension) has been downgraded to out, per the Lakers. – 7:03 PM

Ryan Ward @RyanWardLALeBron James (left ankle peroneal tendinopathy) has been upgraded to AVAILABLE for tonight’s game at Memphis.Anthony Davis (left knee hyperextension) has been downgraded to OUT. – 7:02 PM

Mike Trudell @LakersReporterDarvin Ham said AD (knee) and LeBron (ankle) are going through their typical pregame routines as we await a status update. Should LeBron be able to play coming off a huge minutes load for everyone else at MIL?“That would be a huge shot in the arm to get him back out there.” – 6:35 PM

Chris Palmer @ChrisPalmerNBAAustin Reaves is the first player in Lakers history with at least 29 pts, 14 rebs, 10 asts and 1 or fewer TOs.Only Lakers to turn this feat with 3 or fewer TOs are Reaves and LeBron. Not even Magic & Kobe. Reaves is the only Laker who’s ever done it twice. pic.twitter.com/ZvRF2GAfrt – 11:18 PM

Khobi Price @khobi_priceFinal (2OT): Lakers 128, Bucks 124.Lakers came back from down 19 in the 4Q to beat Milwaukee to start the six-game trip.Anthony Davis: 34 points, 23 rebounds in 52 minutes. Austin Reaves: 29 points, 14 rebounds, 10 assists. D’Angelo Russell: 29 points, 12 assists. – 10:41 PM

Eric Nehm @eric_nehmBucks lost Austin Reaves and he hit an open 3.Giannis Antetokounmpo drew a foul with 24.2 seconds left and went to the line for two free throws. Missed both.Lakers up, 124-121, with 22.3 seconds left. – 10:31 PM

Mike Trudell @LakersReporterAustin Reaves nearly beat the buzzer in Milwaukee, but with his near miss, LAL head to OT nonetheless, after outscoring the Bucks 27-13 in the 4th Q.Anthony Davis, laboring with his knee, has already played 42 minutes on this front end of a B2B, and Russell 41. – 10:01 PM

Jovan Buha @jovanbuhaAustin Reaves’ 3-point attempt nearly banks in but spins out. LA and Milwaukee are headed to overtime at 101-101. – 10:00 PM

Eric Nehm @eric_nehmAustin Reaves almost banked it in from well behind the line to win it.This game is headed to overtime. – 10:00 PM

Eric Nehm @eric_nehmAnd the Lakers have cut the Bucks’ lead down to five points after Giannis Antetokounmpo was called for a charge and Austin Reaves curled around a screen for a bucket.Bucks up, 96-91, with 4:34 left. – 9:41 PM

Jovan Buha @jovanbuhaThird quarter: Bucks 88, Lakers 74LA has struggled to close the last two quarters. AD has 18 points (on just 7-of-23 FGs) and 16 rebounds. DLo has 18 points and 7 assists. Austin Reaves has 13/6/5. Turnovers (10-7) and pace (20-2 edge in fastbreak points) have gone MIL’s way. – 9:19 PM

Jovan Buha @jovanbuhaLakers’ starters vs. Milwaukee:D’Angelo RussellAustin ReavesSpencer DinwiddieRui HachimuraAnthony DavisRecord as starters: 1-0 – 7:02 PM