Austin Reaves fired back at Luka Dončić with humor after the Los Angeles Lakers superstar called him “stupid” for predicting he could average 40 points per game this season.
“He’s an idiot,” Reaves said with a grin after the Lakers’ 130–120 win over the Miami Heat on Sunday. “I don’t know what he did yesterday, but he was in a really good mood today, joking around, having a good time. I guess he’s a big football fan because he sits over there and watches the Chiefs–Bills game for a long time. He’s a Cowboys fan, I know.”
On Saturday, Dončić dismissed Reaves’ bold claim that he could average 40 per game this year with a sharp and hilarious one-liner.
“Austin’s stupid,” Dončić said, cracking up the media room and reporters in attendance.
The friendly back-and-forth quickly went viral — a moment of levity amid a red-hot start to the Lakers’ season that has them looking like one of the NBA’s most balanced teams despite LeBron James (sciatica) still sidelined.
Dončić’s Historic Start Breaks Lakers Records
Dončić backed up his teammate’s boldness with another statistical explosion. He posted 44 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists in his return from a three-game absence in Friday’s 117–112 win over the Memphis Grizzlies — his third consecutive 40-point game to open the season.
On Sunday, the Heat limited him to 29 points, but Dončić still notched his first triple-double of the year with 11 rebounds and 10 assists as Los Angeles extended its winning streak to three games.
According to NBA.com/Stats, Dončić’s 165 points through four games are the most ever by a Laker to begin a season:
| Player | Season | Points (First 4 Games) |
|---|---|---|
| Luka Dončić | 2025–26 | 165 |
| Jerry West | 1969–70 | 154 |
| Kobe Bryant | 2005–06 | 146 |
Dončić also became the first Laker since Elgin Baylor to average more than 40 points per game over his first four contests. His current line — 41.3 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 8.3 assists — has him in early MVP conversation and has reenergized a Lakers team searching for a new identity under head coach JJ Redick.
Reaves Nearly Matching Luka’s Scoring Pace
Getty Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to his basket with Austin Reaves in the second half against the New York Knicks.
While Dončić has captured most of the headlines, Reaves has been nearly as explosive. The 26-year-old guard has scored 143 points through four games, ranking fourth in Lakers franchise history behind Dončić, Jerry West, and Kobe Bryant.
Reaves added 26 points and 11 assists in Sunday’s win over Miami, pushing his season totals to 265 points and 65 assists through seven games. His growing chemistry with Dončić has been central to the Lakers’ 5–2 start and their newfound offensive rhythm under Redick.
“He’s just getting comfortable, having a good time,” Reaves said of Dončić. “Nobody ever thought that [trade] was going to happen, so I’m sure he was in a state of shock and couldn’t believe it, having to move his family. But yeah, he acts like a kid. You know, he needs to grow up at some point.”
From Dallas Departure to Hollywood Rebirth
Dončić’s resurgence follows a difficult end to his tenure in Dallas, where fatigue and a lingering calf injury hampered his performance. After revamping his conditioning and nutrition this offseason, the Slovenian star is off to one of the most dominant starts in NBA history.
Now signed to a three-year, $165 million deal, Dončić is firmly entrenched as the new face of the Lakers while Reaves’ evolution into a high-scoring, playmaking co-star gives Los Angeles a dynamic backcourt duo that’s flourishing even without James.
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