Dennis Schröder suffered another defeat with the Sacramento Kings. Although the German recorded a strong double-double against the Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento lost 120-127 to a Lakers team without LeBron James and Luka Doncic because Austin Reaves had the game of his life.
Schröder had already collected ten assists by the middle of the third quarter, and the Braunschweig native finished the game with 18 points (7/18 FG, 3/9 3P) and twelve assists in 35 minutes. However, that wasn’t enough, as Austin Reaves was on the other side. In the absence of LeBron James (sciatic nerve) and Luka Doncic (finger strain), the Lakers’ third star took over and set a new career best. Reaves scored a whopping 51 points (12/22 FG, 6/10 three-pointers, 21/22 FT) and narrowly missed a triple-double with eleven rebounds and nine assists. Reaves scored 15 points in both the third and fourth quarters, repeatedly finding his way into the zone against the porous Kings defense to either finish successfully or draw a foul.
Sacramento trailed for most of the game but seemed to turn it around in the fourth quarter. With ten minutes to go, Domantas Sabonis gave the visitors their biggest lead (101-97) with a three-pointer, but shortly afterwards Reaves returned to the court and sank three three-pointers in three minutes. Kings top scorer Zach LaVine (32, 12/24) brought his team back to within three points, but his three-pointer to potentially tie the game didn’t fall.
Reaves seals the deal for the Lakers
Instead, Reaves converted four more free throws to seal the Lakers’ second win of the season. In addition to the guard, Deandre Ayton (22, 15 rebounds) and Rui Hachimura (18) impressed on offense, while Russell Westbrook scored 18 points off the bench for the Kings. DeMar DeRozan had 21 points (9/22), but was not as efficient as usual.
The Kings now face four consecutive away games (OKC, Bulls, Bucks, Nuggets), while the Lakers continue tomorrow night at home against the Portland Trail Blazers before embarking on a short road trip with games in Minnesota and Memphis.
