Austin Reaves has become one of the Los Angeles Lakers’ most important players. From his rookie season after going undrafted to a larger role in head coach JJ Redick’s offense this year, Reaves has been someone the team has relied on in many ways.

The Lakers certainly needed him at his best on Christmas Day against the Golden State Warriors and he delivered with a 26-point triple-double and the game-winning layup with just one second left. This isn’t the first time Reaves has played a big role for the Lakers, and Redick and the Lakers coaching staff really appreciate his attitude.

Speaking about Reaves after the Christmas Day win, Redick noted via NBA.com how fearless he has always been and that the staff loves his aggressiveness, even if it sometimes comes with a few crazy shots:

“Austin is a fearless competitor and early in his career he’s not afraid of big moments or big plays or having the ball in his hands or making free throws at the end of the game, he enjoys that as a competitor.” Im We’re a little lacking in ball handling right now, and the fact that he had ten assists and only three turnovers against this team was really good, especially after the game against Detroit where he had six turnovers. He and Bron just kept us going out there and made sure we were organized most of the game and made us look good. I think this is just a blueprint for him. Now he takes some crazy shots, and he has taken some of those, but the aggressive attitude that he brings night in and night out is something we love and encourage.”

When a player brings so much positive to the team, a coach can live with a few other things, and that’s the case with Reaves and Redick. The guard’s role has changed: he is on the ball more and sometimes has to be more of a facilitator than a scorer or vice versa.

With Anthony Davis sidelined against the Warriors, the Lakers needed Reaves to step up and he did so in the best way. But breaking through on the NBA’s biggest stages is something Reaves has done many times before, and the Lakers are grateful for it.

Lakers’ Austin Reaves says the deciding game was meant for LeBron James

Austin Reaves found himself with the ball in his hands with just seconds left in a tied game and delivered the game-winning layup for the Lakers against the Warriors. But if things had gone as originally planned, the ball would have been elsewhere.

To the surprise of no one, Reaves announced that the final play was originally intended for LeBron James, but since the Warriors denied him the ball, it went to Reaves. Once he did, the Lakers guard simply focused on biding his time and making sure the Warriors had no chance to respond.

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