Austin Reaves Likes Way Lakers Competed Against Pistons

Austin Reaves and the Los Angeles Lakers showed the NBA what they could do when they play to their potential as a unit. The Lakers reeled off a nine-game winning streak that Reaves admitted was fueled by their growing confidence in each other. However, Los Angeles had its streak snapped against the Detroit Pistons who remain atop the Eastern Conference standings despite being without Cade Cunningham.

The Lakers trailed by double digits for stretches of the game, but clawed their way back in the fourth quarter. Reaves praised the group’s effort and said he ultimately liked how they competed in the second half.

“Yeah, I think we were down 16 or 18 in the third and battled our way back,” Reaves said on Spectrum SportsNet. “It was a two-point game going into the fourth. We did some really good things and there were some things that we needed to clean up. But it’s a long trip, and I like the way we competed.”

Reaves also acknowledged that he appreciated the uptick in physicality and effort the Lakers played with during the winning streak.

“Just the physicality and the intensity that we’re playing with,” he added.

Unlike earlier in the 2025-26 season, the Lakers have found ways to climb out of early deficits and win games. There were too many games where Los Angeles seemingly gave up mid game, so to see them put themselves in position to steal one against Detroit after going down big early is a massive improvement.

The competitive effort on both ends of the floor is the biggest reason for the team’s recent hot streak, and it comes at the best time possible as the postseason is quickly approaching. As long as Reaves and the rest of the Lakers roster can stay healthy, they’ll be one of the toughest matchups come playoff time.

Austin Reaves explained why Lakers’ “Big 3” played against Heat

Following a hard-fought win over the Houston Rockets, the Lakers had to travel to Florida to take on the Miami Heat on the second night of a back-to-back. Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves were all deemed questionable to play and the belief was the stars would sit.

However, in a mild surprise all three were made available and Los Angeles wound up winning a hard-fought game. Reaves said that the decision came down to James who said he would play, so Reaves and Doncic followed his lead.