Austin Reaves Drops Career-Best 35 Points: Watch Highlights & Lakers Reaction

Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves is once again commanding headlines after an expletive-laced post-game interview went viral, but the buzz goes far deeper than one unforgettable microphone slip. Hot start fuels breakout year Through the first 16 games, Austin Reaves is averaging 27.6 points, 7.3 assists and 5.5 rebounds while shooting 41 percent from beyond the arc, easily career highs and a leap that has transformed him from reliable role player to nightly star. His efficiency in pick-and-roll actions with LeBron James and newcomer Luka Doncic has helped the Lakers open the season 12-4 and climb near the top of the Western Conference. The interview the internet can’t stop replaying Moments after dropping 22 points and 10 rebounds in a nail-biting 108-106 win over the Jazz, adrenaline got the best of Austin Reaves. Two quick F-bombs slipped out on live television, prompting an immediate, sheepish apology that only made the clip more share-worthy. Within hours the footage dominated social feeds, turning “Austin Reaves interview” into a trending search and amplifying his already-surging profile. Why Austin Reaves suddenly looks like the Lakers’ third star 1. Expanded offensive role: Coach JJ Redick has given the 25-year-old more primary ball-handling reps, and he now ranks top-10 league-wide in drives per game. 2. Off-ball chemistry: Reaves’ instinctive cuts create easy looks when defenses overload on James or Doncic. 3. Two-way impact: Opponents are shooting just 43 percent when guarded by Reaves, proof that his defensive metrics are catching up to his offensive explosion. Locker-room reaction and marketing ripple Teammates laughed off the viral moment, with James joking that “we’ve all been there.” Meanwhile, sneaker brands reportedly contacted Reaves’ representatives overnight, looking to leverage the guard’s rising Q Score and authentic, unfiltered persona. Key games ahead • Nov 28 vs. Clippers – Reaves faces Kawhi Leonard’s perimeter defense. • Dec 1 at Nuggets – a statement opportunity against the reigning champs. • Dec 3 vs. Warriors – national-TV showcase certain to spike search traffic around Austin Reaves highlights. Bottom line Austin Reaves isn’t just a feel-good undrafted success story anymore; he’s producing All-Star numbers, supplying viral content, and giving the Lakers a bona-fide third pillar. If his current trajectory holds, expect “Austin Reaves” to stay glued to the top of NBA trend charts well past this week’s headline-grabbing interview.