Veteran forward LeBron James may have been onto something when he called Los Angeles Lakers teammates Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves a “sick backcourt” at the start of the 2025-26 season.
In Monday’s 121-111 win over the Charlotte Hornets, Doncic and Reaves stuffed the stat sheet, combining for 62 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds, while finishing a +34 on the floor. It was the latest instance of the star guards combining to guide the Lakers to a win this season in the absence of James, who remains sidelined with sciatica.
According to statistician Greg Harvey, Doncic and Reaves have become the first teammates in NBA history to each tally over 200 points and 50 assists through their first seven games of a season.
While Doncic has amassed 260 points and 64 assists through seven games, Reaves has posted 242 points and 72 assists through eight contests. Both players have missed time due to injuries, but have done a lot of damage in their time on the court.
Austin Reaves Back With a Bang
Reaves, who missed three consecutive games with right knee soreness, picked up where he left off before his injury absence. While he shot a paltry 2-of-10 from three, he made timely plays on both ends, including a steal in the fourth quarter of Monday’s win.
After the win, Doncic explained why he was thrilled to have his backcourt mate back.
“It’s great. I was pushing him to get back,” Doncic said of Reaves, via LakersNation.
“It’s always great to have him back. He’s an amazing player, you saw it today. After missing [three games], it’s not easy to just come back and perform the way he performed. So props to him and we’re happy to have him back.”
‘Hate Missing Games’
The 27-year-old Reaves said he tried his best to play when the Lakers faced the Atlanta Hawks last Saturday, but was held back by his team’s medical staff.
“I wanted to get back as quickly as possible… I hate missing games,” he said, via Spectrum Sports Net.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick was equally thrilled to have his star backcourt back after a three-game absence.
“He’s an All-Star-level player,” Redick said of Reaves before the game, via LA Times. “He’s, along with Luka, an incredibly dynamic offensive player. I think our depth increases, the lineup optionality increases, so not having him in the lineup really, really hurts us.”
Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic will look to continue their exploits on Wednesday night when the Lakers (8-3) face their toughest test of the season — a clash against the Oklahoma City Thunder (10-1), the reigning NBA champions.
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