In a thrilling showdown at the Staples Center, the Los Angeles Lakers edged out the LA Clippers, 125-122, in a game that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer. The Clippers had a chance to tie it up, but Nicolas Batum's last-second three-point attempt just missed, sealing the Lakers' victory. While the game was packed with offensive fireworks, it was Austin Reaves' defensive heroics that truly stood out.
Late in the game, with the Clippers breathing down the Lakers' necks at 118-115, Bennedict Mathurin made a drive to the basket. Enter Austin Reaves, who stepped up to draw a crucial charge, giving the Lakers a bit of breathing room.
Luka Doncic misses the clutch floater, and Austin Reaves takes the charge from Bennedict Mathurin at the other end, gets fouled out (the challenge was not successful)
— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) February 21, 2026
With replays pic.twitter.com/mVKIwNXMhX
Lakers head coach JJ Redick was quick to highlight this pivotal moment. "I thought the charge was the play of the game," Redick commented post-game.
He even mentioned a second charge attempt by Reaves that didn’t get the call but could have been another game-changer.
This matchup marked Reaves' return to the starting lineup after recovering from a calf injury. Previously limited in minutes, he's now back to full throttle, and it showed.
Reaves delivered a stellar performance with 29 points, six rebounds, two assists, and two steals over 33 minutes. His shooting was on point, hitting 9-of-15 from the field, an impressive 4-of-5 from beyond the arc, and a perfect 7-of-7 from the free-throw line.
"He was fantastic tonight," Redick praised. "Aside from a couple of turnovers, he played an incredibly efficient game."
Reaves has been a standout this season, appearing in 28 games and averaging over 33 minutes per contest. His stats are All-Star worthy, with averages of 25.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 1.0 steals, shooting 50.8% from the field, 36.3% from three, and 86.7% from the line. Unfortunately, his All-Star aspirations took a hit due to his recent injury.
Looking ahead, the Lakers have two more games in their current homestand. Up next, they face their storied rivals, the Boston Celtics, on Sunday, followed by a clash with the Orlando Magic on Tuesday.
After that, they'll hit the road to wrap up the month. The Lakers are certainly looking to build on this win and continue their momentum.