The Sacramento Kings’ recent loss to the Los Angeles Lakers generated powerful reactions from prominent basketball community members. With the 2025-2026 NBA season underway, the Lakers are looking to contend for a championship with talented and experienced stars such as Luka Dončić and LeBron James in their lineup.
There is no denying that Dončić and James have received the lion’s share of attention compared to the other members on the Lakers’ roster, which is only fair given their individual accomplishments and accolades. However, neither was on the court for a recent game against the Sacramento Kings, forcing Austin Reaves to step up and take charge.
Is Austin Reaves the Third-Best Player on the Los Angeles Lakers?
Hours before the Lakers vs. Kings game, injury reports revealed that Dončić might not play due to a finger injury he sustained in an earlier matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
James has a sciatic back injury and is expected to miss several weeks of action. The Lakers entered this game without their two best stars.
Although many assumed that DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine and the Kings would take advantage of the situation and get an easy win, Reaves recorded a shocking 51-point performance and led the Lakers to victory.
After the game had concluded, sports TV personality and analyst Stephen A. Smith could not hold back his disbelief at the Kings’ inability to stop Reaves.
“What an indictment against the Sacramento Kings. No LeBron, No Luka, and you’re a team with DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine on the same squad and you get outshined by Austin Reaves? I mean come on fellas…Pride, I love both of those players but come on fellas.”
.@stephenasmith reacts to Lakers guard Austin Reaves going off for 51 points against the Kings 🏀 pic.twitter.com/Ub8oZzZqqD
— First Take (@FirstTake) October 27, 2025
“I mean damn Austin Reaves went over there and bust y’all livin a**. Really? 51? With no LeBron or Luka to defer to. Him as the number one option bust y’all a**…That’s all I got to say.”
In the Kings’ defense, Reaves shot 21 free throws in this game. Los Angeles was sent to the line 46 times, while the Kings got only 18 free throw attempts. Given that Reaves and the Lakers won this game 127-120, some may claim that the referees’ officiating went their way against the Kings.
Be that as it may, the Kings brought in Russell Westbrook this season and, on paper, have more than enough talent to make a playoff push. Still, dropping a game to a shorthanded Lakers squad raises real questions about how strong this team is.
On the flip side, Reaves reminded everyone that LA can still compete even without James and Dončić. The big question now is whether he’ll get the nod to lead the charge again when they face the Portland Trail Blazers next.
