Reaves' Buzzer-Beater, Five-Game 25-Point Streak

Austin Reaves hit a buzzer-beating floater to lift the Los Angeles Lakers to a 116-115 road win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, finishing with 28 points and a career-high 16 assists. The victory capped a hot five-game start in which Reaves is averaging 34.2 points and 10.0 assists, making him the first Laker since Kobe Bryant in 2005 to begin a season with five straight 25-point games and one of three players ever with at least 170 points and 50 assists in the first five games. Reaves has become the focal point of the offense with LeBron James (sciatica) and Luka Doncic (leg and finger injuries) sidelined, and coach JJ Redick praised his late-game poise. Minnesota erased a 20-point second-half deficit with a 14-2 run and briefly took the lead, but Reaves split a double team on a sideline inbounds and converted the game-winner with 6.6 seconds remaining. The stretch has included 51- and 41-point outings earlier in the week and has drawn acclaim from teammates and media while improving the Lakers’ early-season record.