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Anthony Davis’ Unexpected Postgame Move Left Austin Reaves Clueless

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio G Losada | Last updated Nov 29, 2025 10:40 AM ET

Austin Reaves turned in another standout performance Friday night as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Dallas Mavericks 129–119 to finish undefeated in West Group B of the NBA Cup.

Reaves scored a game-high 38 points on 12-of-15 shooting, helping the Lakers secure their sixth straight win.

As great as that was, it was a postgame moment that stood out more to the 27-year-old guard.

Reaves confirmed postgame that he and former teammate Anthony Davis exchanged jerseys after the final buzzer, something that struck Reaves as a meaningful gesture from the 10-time All-Star forward who now plays for the Mavericks.

“I mean, he’s one of the best players to ever touch a basketball. So, I don’t know why he wanted my jersey. But for me to get his, is pretty fun.” - Austin Reaves on exchanging uniforms with Anthony Davis after the game tonight pic.twitter.com/Ht9aevb4uk
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) November 29, 2025

"He's one of the best players to ever touch a basketball," Reaves said of Davis, via ESPN NBA reporter Dave McMenamin. "I don't know why he wanted my jersey, but for me to get his, it's pretty fun."

Reaves, who also got a jersey from Chris Paul earlier in the week, emphasized the personal importance of receiving Davis’ jersey.

"I got a lot of love for AD," Reaves said. "He's a big reason that [I am] where I'm at right now. From day one, he was telling me to be myself, don't be anybody else. Continue to work and, really, just be myself on the court. So I owe him a lot."

Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15).© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The jersey swap capped off Davis’ return to Crypto.com Arena, where he received a warm ovation from Lakers fans.

Davis, playing his first game in Los Angeles since the Luka Doncic trade in February that sent him to the Mavericks, had 12 points, five rebounds and five assists in just 28 minutes of playing time, finishing with a minus-4 plus/minus.

With the win, the Lakers improved to 14–4 and will host the New Orleans Pelicans next on Sunday at 10:30 p.m. ET. Los Angeles also booked an NBA Cup quarterfinals matchup at home against the San Antonio Spurs on Dec. 10.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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