Lakers star LeBron James, center, drives past the Brooklyn Nets’ Nic Claxton, right, and Michael Porter Jr. during the first half on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Lakers star LeBron James smiles after scoring during the first half of a game against the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Lakers guard Austin Reaves drives to the basket during the first half of a game against the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Lakers forward Rui Hachimura, left, shields the ball from the Brooklyn Nets’ Noah Clowney during the first half on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in New York. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images)
Lakers center Jaxson Hayes dunks in front of the Brooklyn Nets’ Cam Thomas (24) during the first half on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Lakers star LeBron James, left, and center Jaxson Hayes react after a Lakers basket during the first half of a game against the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in New York. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images)
Lakers star Luka Doncic handles the ball during the first half of a game against the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Lakers guard Austin Reaves shoots as the Brooklyn Nets’ Nolan Traore (88) defends during the first half on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Lakers forward Rui Hachimura, above, battles for control of the ball with the Brooklyn Nets’ Noah Clowney during the first half on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Lakers star LeBron James shoots over the Brooklyn Nets’ Michael Porter Jr. (17) during the first half on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Lakers guard Austin Reaves handles the ball during the first half of a game against the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Lakers center Jaxson Hayes drives past the Brooklyn Nets’ Ben Saraf (77) for a dunk during the first half on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Lakers center Jaxson Hayes celebrates after dunking during the first half of a game against the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. grabs a rebound between Lakers forward Rui Hachimura, left, and center Jaxson Hayes during the first half on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in New York. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images)
Lakers star LeBron James handles the ball as the Brooklyn Nets’ Michael Porter Jr. defends during the first half on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in New York. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images)
Lakers star Luka Doncic defends a shot by the Brooklyn Nets’ Cam Thomas during the first half on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Lakers star LeBron James handles the ball during the first half of a game against the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Lakers star LeBron James, right, drives past the Brooklyn Nets’ Nic Claxton, center, and Michael Porter Jr. during the first half on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Lakers star Luka Doncic handles the ball as the Brooklyn Nets’ Noah Clowney defends during the first half on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Lakers star Luka Doncic reacts after making a 3-point shot during the first half of a game against the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in New York. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images)
Lakers star Luka Doncic reacts after making a 3-point shot during the first half of a game against the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in New York. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images)
Lakers star LeBron James soars to the basket for a dunk in front of the Brooklyn Nets’ Egor Dëmin and Cam Thomas (24) during the first half on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Lakers star LeBron James reacts after dunking during the first half of a game against the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
The Brooklyn Nets’ Danny Wolf drives past Lakers center Deandre Ayton (5) during the second half on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Lakers forward Jake LaRavia takes a shot in front of the Brooklyn Nets’ Ben Saraf during the second half on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in New York. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images)
Lakers center Deandre Ayton, right, defends as the Brooklyn Nets’ Day’ron Sharpe drives during the second half on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Lakers guard Marcus Smart gestures after a 3-point shot during the second half of a game against the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in New York. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images)
Lakers guard Dalton Knecht dunks during the second half of a game against the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in New York. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images)
Lakers forward Rui Hachimura drives as the Brooklyn Nets’ Cam Thomas defends during the second half on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in New York. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images)
The Brooklyn Nets’ Ziaire Williams dunks in front of Lakers forward Rui Hachimura during the second half on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Lakers guard Austin Reaves gestures after making a 3-point shot during the second half of a game against the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in New York. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images)
Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (11) defends as the Brooklyn Nets’ Michael Porter Jr. passes the ball during the second half on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt pushes the ball up the court as the Brooklyn Nets’ Nolan Traore defends during the second half on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in New York. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images)
Lakers forward Rui Hachimura battles for control of the ball with the Brooklyn Nets’ Day’ron Sharpe during the second half on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
The Brooklyn Nets’ Nolan Traore (88) drives past Lakers forward Maxi Kleber, right, and guard Bronny James, left, during the second half on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt (2) watches as teammate Bronny James (9) scores during the second half of a game against the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Lakers guard Bronny James smiles after scoring during the second half of a game against the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
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Lakers star LeBron James, center, drives past the Brooklyn Nets’ Nic Claxton, right, and Michael Porter Jr. during the first half on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
NEW YORK — The Lakers closed their annual Grammys road trip hopeful that they got a little bit of their groove back.
LeBron James had 25 points and seven assists, Luka Doncic had 24 and the Lakers rolled to a 125-109 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night in Austin Reaves’ first game since Christmas.
Reaves had 15 points in 21 minutes after missing the past 19 games with a strained left calf. He entered late in the first quarter with the Lakers already well in control and helped them continue to pour it on during their 20-for-25 shooting start to the game.
“I wanted to make sure I was 100% good,” Reaves said. “Really wanted to play the other night against the Knicks. Love playing there. Wish I could have been able to get out there and help the team, but just didn’t feel right and woke up this morning and felt really good and gave it the go right before the game and had fun.”
Jake LaRavia scored 18 points for the Lakers (30-19), who finished their trip with a 5-3 record and play next against Philadelphia at home Thursday night, a few hours after the NBA’s noon PT trade deadline has passed.
James had said it was difficult to evaluate the team’s potential without Reaves, who was averaging 26.6 points before he was hurt. They looked potent Tuesday, though it’s hard to judge much against the hapless Nets (13-36), who are only good at losing badly.
Brooklyn was coming off a 53-point loss in Detroit on Sunday and it appeared the Lakers might win by even more. They made 15 of their 18 shots (83.3%) in the first quarter while opening a 45-23 lead, then James scored while being fouled on their first shot of the second.
Reaves then missed consecutive 3-point shots, but came up with a steal and threw the ball off the backboard for James to slam it down. When James later dunked off his own steal, it was 57-28 and the Lakers were 20 for 25 from the field.
The lead grew to 38 points before the Lakers took a 69-40 lead to the locker room at halftime.
The Lakers were thrilled to welcome back Reaves, who was shooting 50.7% from the field to go with 6.3 assists, 5.2 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game before being sidelined for about 5½ weeks.
“For as long as he has been out, obviously the No. 1 thing is rhythm and fatigue, how fast you get fatigued,” James said. “So, it’s just a boost for all of us, especially at the end of a road trip, to get a guy like that back. … Obviously his rhythm is a little off but he still made an impact and just happy to have him back.”
Coach JJ Redick says Reaves’ absence cost the Lakers more than just his scoring.
“I think we’ve missed him in every facet,” Redick said before the game. “Both as an on-ball player, off-ball player, a connector, leadership on the court, competitive spirit – competitive spirit defensively. So, he’s an All-Star-level player, and of course, you’re going to miss him in a number of ways.”
Reaves shot 3 for 9 from the field (1 for 5 from 3-point range) and 8 for 10 from the free-throw line to go with four rebounds, one assist, two steals and two turnovers.
“It felt good,” Reaves said. “I’ve been bored for a little over a month now. Sitting on the bench sucks. I think all I did for the month-and-a-half was yell at the refs. It’s no fun. It’s better to yell at them on the court. But it’s good to be back out there and run around, feel the energy and play the game I love.”
Reaves, 27, was enjoying a career-best season before tweaking his left calf on Dec. 10 in a 132-119 loss to the San Antonio Spurs and then suffering a separate strain of the calf two weeks later in a 119-96 loss to the Houston Rockets on Christmas Day.
Prior to the injury, he was averaging 26.6 points on 50.7% shooting from the field, with 6.3 assists, 5.2 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game.
Doncic shot 8 for 18 from the field (4 for 11 from behind the arc) and sat for the fourth quarter after playing 29 minutes. He also handed out five assists and grabbed six rebounds.
Doncic’s step-back 3-pointer extended the lead to 83-44 with 8:08 remaining in the third quarter and the Lakers held an 89-55 lead when James went to the bench with 4:25 left. The Lakers held a 100-74 advantage through the third and led 111-83 when James checked out for the night with just over eight minutes left.
James made 10 of 16 shots to go with three rebounds and three of the Lakers’ 14 steals. During his final minutes on the floor, some fans were chanting “We Want Bronny” in hopes of seeing his son, Bronny James, enter the game. The younger James played the final 4:36 and earned loud cheers from the mostly pro-Lakers crowd for a pair of baskets.
The Lakers shot 54.1% overall and scored 66 points in the paint to offset a 7-of-31 showing from 3-point range.
“We wanted to finish off this road trip the right way,” James said. “It was an eight-game road trip, went 5-3. Had some games that we felt like we could have won. We could have had a better record. But at the end of the day, you play the game that’s in front of you and we did that.”
Michael Porter Jr. had 21 points and 10 rebounds but shot 0 for 9 from 3-point range for the Nets, who lost for the ninth time in 10 games and the 17th time in the past 20. Day’Ron Sharpe finished with 19 points and 14 rebounds. Ziaire Williams contributed 17 for the Nets, who scored 69 points in the second half to make the final score more respectable.
DEADLINE APPROACHING
The NBA trade deadline is Thursday at noon PT. There hasn’t been much chatter surrounding the Lakers this week, but they still have time to make moves if they don’t believe the return of Reaves is enough to compete in a deep Western Conference.
“We talked about it a couple of weeks ago,” Redick said. “Just the nature of not just being an NBA player this time of year but also being a Laker this time of the year. I can’t control what apps they have on their phones and what they decide to query. So, as a player myself, when I thought there was a chance I might be on the trade block, I just talked to my agent. He tried to tell me the truth and keep me updated.”
UP NEXT
The Lakers host Philadelphia on Thursday at 7 p.m.
“I’ve been pretty bored for a month now, so it’s good to be back.”
Austin Reaves (15 PTS, 4 REB, 2 STL) speaks with @LakersReporter following his return from a calf injury in the #Lakers 125-109 victory in Brooklyn. pic.twitter.com/ZejtN7eVzM
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) February 4, 2026
LeBron James (25 PTS, 7 AST, 3 REB) discusses Austin Reaves’ return, switching into dad-mode when watching Bronny, what he wants his legacy to be, and enjoying the special moments on this road trip. pic.twitter.com/d6VZUFy6CX
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) February 4, 2026
JJ on Austin Reaves:
“I thought he put himself in a good position to have a good night.”
Get closer to the action with Spectrum SportsNet+.
🔗: https://t.co/k8Sa1tLkWs pic.twitter.com/PJc62YjS1g
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) February 4, 2026