Austin Reaves added another highlight to his growing resume Monday night, becoming part of a unique NBA moment during the Los Angeles Lakers’ 130-120 victory over the Miami Heat.
Late in the first quarter, Reaves lofted a perfect lob that Bronny James caught and hammered home with 1:19 left, pushing the Lakers ahead 40-30. The play sent Crypto.com Arena into a frenzy and drew a jubilant reaction from LeBron James, who jumped out of his seat in street clothes.
“I’ve got to be the first person in NBA history to throw a lob to both a father and a son,” Reaves said with a grin afterward. “That’s got to be right — the only one, at least while they’re still on the same team. It was cool. I told Bron after I checked out that it was a pretty special moment.”
The bucket marked Bronny’s first field goal of the season after he went 0-for-5 in his first three appearances.
Bronny James Earns JJ Redick’s Praise for Defensive Effort
Bronny finished with two points, two assists, and three steals in 18 minutes, most of which came in the fourth quarter. His defensive energy impressed head coach JJ Redick, who said after the game that Bronny’s on-ball pressure helped close out the win.
“I thought he was really good on the ball. He got a steal off the ball, but I thought he was good on the ball,” Redick said.
Redick has repeatedly praised Bronny’s defensive awareness this season. During the Lakers’ 122-108 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers last week, the rookie coach commended the second-year guard for his containment and effort despite not scoring. That trust earned Bronny another late-game opportunity Monday.
Bronny Delivers Key Fourth-Quarter Play
One of Bronny’s most important moments came midway through the fourth quarter when he attacked a defensive closeout after Luka Dončić was double-teamed. He drove into the paint and found Marcus Smart wide open in the corner for a three-pointer that gave Los Angeles a 114-107 lead. Redick later pointed to that sequence as an example of the young guard’s improving decision-making.
Bronny’s defensive stops and poise helped the Lakers hold off a late Miami rally, validating Redick’s decision to keep him on the floor until the final minute.
Reaves and Dončić Lead as Stars Rest
Reaves finished with 26 points and 11 assists, while Dončić continued his torrid scoring pace with another dominant showing in limited minutes. The duo combined for 55 points as the Lakers improved to 5-2.
With Dončić and Reaves both resting for Monday’s rematch against the Trail Blazers, Bronny is expected to take on an expanded role. The opportunity gives the 21-year-old guard a chance to further prove himself as a defensive anchor and secondary playmaker under Redick’s growing trust.
For Reaves, though, the moment was already one for the record books — an undrafted guard from Arkansas becoming the first player ever to throw alley-oops to both LeBron James and his son in NBA history.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Reaves and Bronny Make NBA History as LeBron Cheers From Bench in Lakers’ Win appeared first on Heavy Sports.