Lakers’ Austin Reaves scores career-high points in win over Kings

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Sacramento Kings 127-120 on Sunday night without injured stars Luka Doncic and LeBron James, while Austin Reaves exploded for a career-high 51 points, Deandre Ayton added 22 points and added a game-high 15 rebounds.

Reaves overcame his previous NBA best of 45 points set against the Indiana Pacers in February, when he took the starting role after Doncic was a late scratch with finger and lower-leg injuries.

He also had 11 rebounds and nine assists, missing what might have been his fourth triple-double of his career with just one assist.

Reaves made six 3-pointers, three of which came in the fourth quarter, which gave the Lakers an 11-point lead after a four-point deficit.

The Lakers, who had a season-opening loss to Golden State, were trailing 101-97 with just 9:50 remaining before scoring 20 of the game’s next 25 points to take a 117-106 lead at 4:18.

Reaves put the game on hold with three straight 3-pointers before adding a third after hitting an Ayton hoop to give the score at 108-101.

To cap the Kings’ never-full recovery, Rui Hachimura added two hoops, Ayton added another, and Jake LaRavia added a 3-pointer.

With just one minute left to play, Reaves kept the Kings at bay with four late free throws, which came to a 21-for-22 game at the line, keeping the hosts as close as 122-119.

The Lakers outscored the Kings 41-12 from the stripe after 28 more chances.

The Lakers, who had a third straight game without James due to a back issue, finished with 18 points, while LaRavia and Marcus Smart each added 11 each.

LaVine led Sacramento with 32 points, while Sabonis and Dennis Schroeder each recorded double-doubles with their respective rebounds and points.

The Kings, who outscored the visitors 54-23 from beyond the arc, were led by DeMar DeRozan, Russell Westbrook, and Malik Monk, who each scored 21 points.

In Texas, Wembanyama and Davis domineer.

Victor Wembanyama led the team’s 118-107 victory over Brooklyn in other games on Sunday, recording 31 points and 14 rebounds.

Dallas won their first NBA game 139-129 victory over visiting Toronto, which was led by Anthony Davis, who had 25 points and 10 rebounds.

Los Angeles defeated Portland to win its second home game for the second time with a 114-107 victory, led by Kawhi Leonard, who had 30 points and 10 rebounds, and Ivica Zubac, who had 21 points and eight boards.

As Detroit defeated Boston 119-113 in its first game at home, Cade Cunningham scored 25 points and added eight assists.

Miami defeated the New York Knicks 115-107 to win the first game of the season with 29 points.

As Cleveland won its first game at home against Milwaukee 118-113, Donovan Mitchell scored 10 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter, and Evan Mobley added 23 points, eight rebounds, and six assists.

As part of a triple-double, LaMelo Ball scored 38 points, and Charlotte cruised to a 139-113 road victory over Washington.

In Minneapolis, winless Indiana defeated winless Indiana 114-110 thanks to Julius Randle’s 31-point performance.