The Los Angeles Lakers got hit with two harsh blows during the game against the Charlotte Hornets.

Austin Reaves (Image Credit: X/@LegionHoops)
Austin Reaves was ejected from the game after receiving two technical fouls in quick succession. And then, the fallout ultimately resulted in LA losing the game 97-100 against the Hornets

It all started when the referees missed a foul by the Hornets’ Jusuf Nurkic, who got in Reaves’ way as he drove to the basket. Frustrated, Reaves immediately approached referee Rodney Mott to voice his objections, which earned him a quick technical foul. Instead of letting it go, Reaves kept expressing his displeasure while walking to the sidelines. Though the referee didn’t like it and the outburst  led to a second technical foul and his ejection from the game.

As the camera caught him, Reaves was totally annoyed by the decisions and was seen tossing his headband into the stands. His stats for the night included eight points, two rebounds, two assists, and two blocks over 27 minutes of play. Before getting a send off whistle, he was in a great rhythm and victory looked almost certain. But things went ugly right after a scoring struggle.

This incident marked a significant blow to the Lakers, especially following a strong start to the second half of the season. They were coming with six wins in their last seven games. Reaves, averaging 19.1 points and over six assists per game, was having an off night prior to his ejection, finishing with just eight points and two assists.

Austin Reaves Wins Praise From Patrick Beverley

Despite the recent fumble, Austin Reaves has been making quite the impression in his third season with the Los Angeles Lakers. His performances won him high praise from former Lakers guard Patrick Beverley.

Beverley emphasizes that Reaves might be the best third option in the NBA right now, citing his consistent scoring and playmaking abilities. With a career-high average of 19.1 points per game this season, Reaves has established himself as a vital contributor. Alongside their stars, Luka Doncic and LeBron James, the Lakers now have a reliable offensive weapon in him.

“You talk about a third option, you look around the NBA, he might be the best third option in the NBA in Austin Reaves. You talk about your fourth option in Rui Hachimura. He might be the best fourth option in the NBA. I’m talking about on one team,” Beverley said.

What sets Reaves apart is his scoring as well as his playmaking prowess. This season, he has effectively balanced his scoring with an impressive 6.2 assists per game. As the Lakers head into the critical final stretch of the regular season, the contributions from Reaves will be pivotal. With both Doncic and James commanding attention from defenders, Reaves has the perfect opportunity to shine.