LOS ANGELES — In an impressive display, Austin Reaves set a new personal record by scoring 45 points as the Los Angeles Lakers triumphed over the Indiana Pacers with a final score of 124-117 on Saturday. The impressive victory came without the participation of LeBron James and Luka Doncic.
Rui Hachimura contributed significantly to the win, delivering a notable performance with 24 points on his 27th birthday. The Lakers are enjoying a fantastic run, having clinched five consecutive victories and winning 11 out of their last 13 games.
During the match, Los Angeles built a substantial 25-point lead during the first half. In the fourth quarter, Reaves shined brighter than ever, scoring 14 crucial points that helped the Lakers fend off a late surge from Indiana, who currently stands as the fourth in the Eastern Conference, despite the absence of their two paramount players.
LeBron James was sidelined due to discomfort in his left ankle, whereas Doncic was unable to participate, marking his third consecutive game on the bench as he continues to recover from a strained left calf that has kept him inactive since Christmas. The two superstars spent time together during the game, engaged in conversation in anticipation of their expected joint return, set for Monday against Utah.
For the Pacers, Pascal Siakam delivered a commendable performance, ending the game with 23 points, while Tyrese Halliburton added 19 points. Indiana demonstrated resilience by battling back from a significant deficit but ultimately struggled to maintain their momentum during the fourth quarter, resulting in only their fourth defeat in 17 matches.
Remarkably, Reaves was close to missing this match due to a sore left elbow but chose to play, particularly with the Lakers missing their stars. He opened the game strong with 14 points in the first quarter, following it up with eight quick points again in the fourth. His career-high points were capped off with a spectacular dunk following a steal, which drew a standing ovation from the fans.
Takeaways from the game highlight the struggles the Pacers faced in the first half, especially without Myles Turner, who was absent due to a head injury. Meanwhile, Jordan Goodwin made his Lakers debut, playing 25 minutes and notably contributing with a critical three-pointer late in the game.
The turning point in the match came during another solid first half for the Lakers, hitting an impressive 15 of their 21 shots and establishing a commanding 53-28 lead midway through the second quarter.
A key statistic from the game revealed that Indiana was remarkably proficient from the free-throw line, sinking 31 of 32 attempts.
Looking ahead, the Pacers will host the Knicks on Tuesday, while the Lakers are set to face the Jazz at home on Monday.
