The Los Angeles Lakers wrapped up their longest road trip of the season in emphatic fashion Tuesday night, handling the Brooklyn Nets with ease in a 125-109 win that never really felt in doubt. With the victory, the Lakers improved to 30-19 on the year and head back to L.A. with momentum-and a healthy Austin Reaves-back in the mix.
Reaves, who’d been sidelined for over a month and a half with a calf injury, made his return to the floor under a minutes restriction. He came off the bench, but even in limited action, his presence gave the Lakers a noticeable boost. It didn’t take long for him to shake off the rust either-by the second quarter, he was hitting shots and throwing lobs like he never left.
The Lakers wasted no time setting the tone. Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Jake LaRavia came out firing, locked in on both ends of the floor.
They turned early defensive stops into fast-break opportunities, and Doncic, in particular, was in rhythm from deep. A pair of step-back threes from him helped push L.A. to a 26-11 lead, forcing the Nets into an early timeout.
By the end of the first quarter, the Lakers were rolling. Doncic was unconscious from the field, the ball was zipping around the perimeter, and Reaves, in his first action back, drew a foul to close the quarter. The scoreboard told the story: 45-23, Lakers.
The second quarter was more of the same. Reaves, after missing his first two shots, found his footing and knocked down a pair in rhythm.
Then came the highlight of the night-Reaves tossing a perfectly timed off-the-backboard alley-oop to LeBron, who hammered it home in transition. It was the kind of play that ignites a bench, lights up a crowd, and reminds everyone just how dangerous this team can be when it’s clicking.
L.A. led by as many as 38 points in the first half before easing off the gas a bit heading into halftime. Still, they walked into the locker room with a commanding 69-40 lead.
Reaves’ strong first half earned him a spot in the starting group to open the third quarter, replacing LaRavia. Given his minutes cap, the move made sense-head coach JJ Redick wanted to get his minutes in early, with the game already well in hand.
The Lakers did let up slightly to close the third, but the outcome was never in doubt. They carried a 100-74 lead into the final frame and quickly pushed the lead back to 30 in the early minutes of the fourth. That allowed Redick to empty the bench and coast to the finish line.
This was one of those games where everything came together: stars played like stars, the ball movement was crisp, and the defense set the tone early. It wasn’t just a win-it was a statement to close out a grueling road stretch.
Looking ahead…
Now back home, the Lakers will face a tough stretch leading into the All-Star break. Matchups against the 76ers, Warriors, Thunder, Spurs, and Mavericks await.
But if Tuesday night is any indication, this team is starting to find its rhythm at just the right time. With Reaves back in the fold and the stars locked in, the Lakers are in position to make a strong push heading into the second half of the season.