Austin Reaves admitted to struggles in the series with the Minnesota Timberwolves taking them apart.
With Luka Doncic and LeBron James sustaining knocks in the team’s Game 5 loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves, there was added pressure on Austin Reaves to deliver.
Reaves was unable to, ending up with just 12 points, and scoring just two of 10 three-point attempts.
Lakers fans expressed frustrations towards Reaves’ performance, likening his display to former player D’Angelo Russell.
The LA Lakers lost the game 103-96, bowing out in the playoffs with a 4-1 series defeat.
Austin Reaves was disappointing during the series, and he accepted blame, speaking after the Game 5 loss.
Reaves admitted he ‘wasn’t good enough’ when asked about the team’s fourth loss in five games.
One former star who is a big fan of Austin Reaves is James Worthy, who discussed his shortcomings on the team’s postgame show on Spectrum.
Worthy pointed to the recent adulation Reaves received during a stretch of the regular season, and pointed to the Timberwolves simply being a tough match-up for him.
He said: “Austin Reaves has been mentioned as the best third wheel for a month there when he was really getting it done.
“And unfortunately the Lakers met a big, physical team, that’s going to put a lot of pressure on Austin, every night. You can’t run from it.
“It takes it’s toll on you. Austin’s great and playing both sides of the floor but it takes its toll on you over time.”
In a world of knee-jerk reactions where fans on social media fall in love with a player one game, and want him traded away the next, Worthy tried to add some perspective to Reaves progress overall.
“Austin had a big challenge, his shots were a little short, getting foul trouble one game. You live and learn.
“Austin has been a good steward for us this year, I’m happy with his year.”
Reaves ended up setting career best performances in terms of individual games and points averages, and was a major contributor to the Lakers in the regular season.
This postseason performance will haunt him, but can also act as a motivating factor, with it likely he will be back with the Lakers next year to play a key-role in a new look team.
