In a nail-biting showdown, the Los Angeles Lakers edged out the Denver Nuggets in overtime, with Austin Reaves setting the stage for the thrilling finish. Down by two in the final moments of regulation, Reaves missed a crucial free throw but quickly recovered, maneuvering along the baseline to sink a floater that sent the game into overtime.
As the buzzer loomed, Reaves was spotted cradling the basketball, whispering, “I love you.” It was a moment that captured the intensity and emotion of the game.
The Lakers sealed the victory when Luka Doncic showcased his clutch prowess, nailing a shot that put them ahead by two with just half a second left. The Nuggets were unable to respond, and the Lakers celebrated a hard-fought win.
Post-game, Reaves was asked about his unusual courtside conversation with the basketball. “I don’t really say much to the ball.
"I LOVE YOU."
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 15, 2026
This clip of Austin Reaves after his game-saving play is why we're basketball fans 👏pic.twitter.com/27makmBSZi
It’s usually bad words. It’s usually when it’s not acting right,” he joked, sharing a light-hearted moment amid the pressure.
This win is significant for the Lakers, as it gives them the tiebreaker over the Nuggets in a fiercely competitive Western Conference. Holding onto the No. 3 seed, the Lakers are seven games behind the San Antonio Spurs, making further upward movement a challenge.
With two pivotal games against the Houston Rockets on the horizon, the Lakers are hitting their stride at just the right time. If Reaves, Doncic, and LeBron James continue their strong performances, the Lakers are well-positioned to maintain their grip on the No. 3 seed as the season progresses.
Austin Reaves on the viral clip of him telling the basketball “I love you” late in the game: “I don’t really say much to the ball. It’s usually bad words. It’s usually when it’s not acting right” pic.twitter.com/yQrDsdvanu
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) March 15, 2026