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Los Angeles Lakers star Austin Reaves concocted another magical moment to start the 2025-26 season on Wednesday night – this time at the expense of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
With just over 6 seconds left, Reaves received the inbounds pass near half court. He dribbled a pick, crossed and got into the lane. He got to the foul line and set up a floater. The ball crossed the net at the buzzer.
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Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) celebrates with teammates after making the game-winning shot at the buzzer during an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Los Angeles won 116-115 as Reaves’ Lakers teammates mobbed him. He finished with 28 points and 16 assists.
Reaves admitted after the game that he “probably passed out a little bit” watching the ball go through the net and feeling the jubilation he felt afterward.
“What level he is at, I don’t know. I don’t care, but I think last year he established himself as a bad guy,” Lakers head coach JJ Redick said. “That’s who he is.”
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Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves, middle, shoots and scores the game-winning shot at the buzzer during an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
This is a huge win for the injury-riddled Lakers, as they are betting big on Reaves, who seems to have made his mark in the NBA out of nowhere. He was an undrafted free agent who joined the Lakers in 2021. He signed a four-year contract before the 2023-24 season and is making nearly $14 million this season.
But the team relied heavily on him early in the season as they found themselves without LeBron James and now Luka Doncic.
Reaves scored 51 points in a win over the Sacramento Kings and 41 points in a loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. The team improved to 3-2 on the buzzer-beater against Minnesota.
“The most important thing is he established himself as the leader,” Redick said. “It’s a big moment. That’s what we need from him.”
Reaves reflected on the magnitude of the victory, especially after a playoff loss last season when he had the opportunity to extend the game.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) passes around Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley (10) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
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“Having this opportunity to get a big win on the road, especially with a lot of people out, is special,” he said. “We continued to play basketball and they encouraged me to do what I do.”
