Mar 16, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) leaves the court after the game against the Phoenix Suns at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Austin Reaves Makes Brutally Honest Denver Nuggets Statement

Originally posted on Fastbreak on SI | By Ben Stinar | Last updated Mar 19, 2025 11:04 AM ET

On Wednesday evening, the Los Angeles Lakers will play the Denver Nuggets in California.

The Lakers have had their struggles against Denver over the previous few seasons.

They have gone 2-13 in their last 15 games against the Nuggets (including playoffs).

Before Wednesday's showdown, Austin Reaves spoke about the Nuggets.

Reaves (h/t ESPN's Dave McMenamin):"Obviously, they've kicked our a** the last couple postseasons, and we want to return the favor, but you want to beat everybody you play."

Austin Reaves on the Lakers hosting the Nuggets on Wednesday: “Obviously they’ve kicked our as the last couple postseasons and we want to return the favor, but you want to beat everybody you play” pic.twitter.com/yrGsICiX91
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) March 18, 2025

The Lakers got swept by the Nuggets in the 2023 Western Conference finals.

They then lost in the first round of the 2024 NBA playoffs (in five games) to the Nuggets.

Saturday's Lakers-Nuggets game was the most-watched program across ALL OF TELEVISION pic.twitter.com/csNxtCkkFh
— Lakers Daily (@LakersDailyCom) February 25, 2025

Reaves is currently in the middle of an impressive stretch.

He has scored 28+ points in each of the previous four games.

Via Hoop Central: "AUSTIN REAVES LAST 4 GAMES:

28 PTS - 3 AST - 8 REB - 58% FG
37 PTS - 13 AST - 8 REB - 50% FG
28 PTS - 6 AST - 4 REB - 47% FG
30 PTS - 6 AST - 7 REB - 57% FG

PUTTING UP NUMBERS."

AUSTIN REAVES LAST 4 GAMES:

28 PTS - 3 AST - 8 REB - 58% FG
37 PTS - 13 AST - 8 REB - 50% FG
28 PTS - 6 AST - 4 REB - 47% FG
30 PTS - 6 AST - 7 REB - 57% FG

PUTTING UP NUMBERS. pic.twitter.com/qXDVRTmpJo
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) March 18, 2025

The former Oklahoma star is averaging 19.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.2 steals per contest while shooting 44.6% from the field and 36.6% from the three-point range in 60 games.

Right now, the Lakers are the fourth seed with a 42-25 record.

Meanwhile, the Nuggets are one spot ahead (as the third seed) with a 44-25 record.

This article first appeared on Fastbreak on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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