The Los Angeles Lakers were without Austin Reaves on Monday, but it was for a good reason. Reaves had expended all of his energy on Sunday night, putting together a masterpiece 43-point performance in a road win over the Detroit Pistons. Once again, he stepped up when his team needed it, with Luka Doncic unavailable.
That game also allowed fans to see a different side of Reaves. He usually keeps things close to the vest, and generally opts to not partake in trash talk. But one Pistons fan appeared to really get under his skin, although it clearly didn’t affect his on-court performance.
Bronny James fires back at heckling Pistons fan with savage fitness and money jabs
Detroit Pistons fan told Austin Reaves to swing on him
When asked after the win about the tense moment with the Pistons fan, Reaves played it cool: “I don’t know what you’re talking about”. Fans couldn’t let it slide, though, and supposed expert lip readers believe they have deciphered what Reaves and the fan said to each other.
Reaves ended up getting pulled away from the intense conversation with the fan by teammate Matisse Thybulle. Then, later in the game, Reaves hit a dagger to put the game out of reach, pointed at the same fan, and waved him goodbye.
Reaves was clearly annoyed by the trash talk, but he used it to his advantage. It was the exact type of fuel he needed for an epic scoring performance.