If 2024-25’s unpredictable regular-season slate has taught any lesson, it’s that playing against a team missing its All-Star leader — or perhaps two of them, in the Los Angeles Lakers’ case — doesn’t ensure any sort of surefire edge. Finding that statement to be twice as true with a No. 3 option of Austin Reaves’ caliber, the seemingly-shorthanded Lakers watched as the still-ascending fourth-year guard embraced the "Batman" role, introducing the Indiana Pacers’ defense to his full rolodex. The night’s itinerary included stop-and-pop triples with sprinkles of that deceptive, quietly-elite handle of the basketball, quick-handed pickpockets that encouraged one-man fastbreak flushes, and ultimately, an unguardable blend of three-level scoring. Rocketed to a different level since adding an arm sleeve to his on-court ensemble, Los Angeles’ star guard seized control of February 8, 2025’s spotlight, erupting for a career-best 45 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, and three steals. Reaves’ performance also went complemented by brilliant efficiency from the field (14-of-26), from deep (four-of-nine), and from the charity stripe (13-of-13), as the Lakeshow cruised to a fifth-straight win. · Feb 8, 2025