After an active offseason that saw the Lakers’ front office making waves with strategic moves, fans were buzzing with excitement about the 2025-26 season. However, the preseason games are painting a different picture.
The Lakers suffered their second consecutive preseason defeat, falling to the Golden State Warriors (111-103) on Oct. 5. While the Lakers fans were disappointed after the final buzzer, an unexpected silver lining emerged. A video featuring LeBron James and Austin Reaves has been taking social media by storm.
A Hilarious Interaction Between Lebron James and Austin Reaves Is Making Waves
During a timeout in Sunday’s preseason clash between the Lakers and Warriors, cameras captured a lighthearted exchange between James and Reaves, both of whom were resting and didn’t suit up for the game.
The now-viral clip shows “The King” getting what looked like a mini golf lesson from Reaves right in the middle of the team huddle. As the rest of the squad discussed X’s and O’s, Reaves demonstrated a mock golf swing, and James tried to imitate it.
Austin coaching LeBron on his golf swing 😂 pic.twitter.com/VsJHql1pfZ
— Lakers Daily (@LakersDailyCom) October 6, 2025
Everyone knows James is a huge NFL fan, and many have even speculated that if he hadn’t pursued basketball, he could’ve become a football player.
But a few months ago, the Lakers superstar stunned everyone by showing off a different side. James was spotted vacationing with his family in June at the luxurious Wailea Golf Club in Hawaii. While there was no solid evidence that he actually played golf there, the sighting sparked curiosity among fans.
That curiosity only deepened. A month later, James posted several Instagram videos in which he showcased his golf swing during a casual day on the course. Fans were quick to notice that his form wasn’t exactly PGA Tour material. Moreover, one particular clip in which James hit a shot and immediately started talking trash sent social media into a frenzy.
Even his good friend and on-court rival Stephen Curry joined in the fun as he playfully teased James’ unique swing during the 2025 American Century Championship. But Curry later gave his longtime competitor a warm welcome to the golf community.
So when fans saw Reaves giving James a quick golf tutorial during the preseason game, it felt like a full-circle moment. In fact, the lesson had been brewing for a while.
Reaves Had Already Commented on James’ Golf Skills
Before the Lakers’ Oct. 3 preseason matchup against the Phoenix Suns, Reaves was asked by a reporter what he thought of James’ golf skills. Without hesitation, Reaves joked that “It was a work in progress,” before cheekily admitting that Bronny James was a better golfer than his dad.
“I played with Bronny probably a week ago… I got all of my money on Bronny. He’s got a good swing,” said Reaves during the interview.
While Reaves was seen helping James with his golfing form, it can’t be denied how much the King has helped him improve as a basketball player. In a previous interview with Lakers.com, Reaves admitted that during his rookie year, he often “messed things up” but that James’ leadership and mentorship helped him turn things around.
“I remember my rookie year, James was on my a** for a two-week stretch, and I was getting frustrated. I would mess up in games, and he would critique me a lot. I got really frustrated because I felt like he just kept coming after me. But not in a bad way–he just wanted me to be better,” said Reaves during the interview.
That guidance clearly paid off in the 2024–25 NBA season, where Reaves averaged 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game while shooting 46.0% from the field and 37.7% from beyond the arc.
Now, coming to Sunday’s game, the Lakers struggled from the start. They trailed by one point after the first quarter and were down seven by halftime. The Warriors took full control in the third. They had the highest lead of the game, 24 points. Although the Lakers mounted a late push with 23 fourth-quarter points, it wasn’t enough to close the gap.
Now, with two preseason games down, Lakers fans are hoping to finally see a win, especially when the team faces the Warriors again on Oct. 12.
