Austin Reaves Makes NBA History With Wilt Chamberlain Milestone In Los Angeles Lakers’ Statement Win Over Detroit Pistons

Austin Reaves shines for the Lakers with a historic performance against the Pistons© Instagram/ austinreaves12

Austin Reaves had 43 points, a perfect night at the free-throw line, and the final say in Detroit on Sunday. Without Luka Doncic, who sat out with a back injury, the Los Angeles Lakers needed every one of them to hold off the Pistons 121-116. The 6-foot-5 guard shot 14 of 27 and went 11 of 11 from the stripe, and in his 37 minutes, he did enough to tie Wilt Chamberlain for 12th on the Lakers' list of regular-season 40-point games. The win started a road trip and put Los Angeles at 9-2.

How Did Austin Reaves Reach Wilt Chamberlain's Mark Against Detroit?

Austin Reaves started fast, and the Lakers started faster. Matisse Thybulle's steal led to an early Reaves layup, Quentin Grimes hit two threes in an 8-0 run, and Los Angeles led 38-14 after one quarter.

Then Daniss Jenkins found the range. He was 6 of 7 from three by halftime and had 22 points, and a 26-point lead had shrunk to 12.

Reaves answered after the break. He scored 13 in the third quarter and pushed the lead to 17, and Collin Sexton steadied the Lakers after an 11-0 Detroit run. Still, the Pistons tied the game in the fourth on more Jenkins threes, and their best run came with Reaves on the bench. Jenkins finished with 28 points on 8-of-13 shooting from three.

The ending was messy. Reaves hit a three inside the final minute. Sexton then fouled Jenkins on a three-point try, and Jenkins made all three free throws to cut it to four with 26 seconds left. Sexton made two at the other end, Detroit fouled Reaves, and he sealed it with two more.

The last two free throws capped the fifth 40-point game of a career now in its sixth season. It matches Chamberlain's total for 12th on the Lakers regular-season list, with Magic Johnson at six.

Role Players Back Reaves As Lakers Wait On Doncic's Status

Los Angeles needed more than one scorer to survive those Detroit runs. Sexton gave the bench 17 points despite the late foul, and Ziaire Williams matched him with 17, including a three right after Detroit cut the lead to one. Walker Kessler pulled down 16 rebounds, and Grimes added 12 points. The Lakers won the paint 58-46 and turned 13 Detroit turnovers into 23 points, even after giving it away 16 times themselves.

Doncic's status is still unclear heading into Monday night at Atlanta, the second game of a back-to-back. If he sits again, Reaves is expected to keep leading the offense. Los Angeles holds the top spot in the West at 9-2, ahead of Oklahoma City.