Austin Reaves' Buzzer-Beater Leads Lakers Past Timberwolves Amid Injury Crisis

With 6.6 seconds left and the game on the line, Austin Reaves didn’t just win a game—he redefined the Lakers’ season. On Wednesday, October 29, 2025, the 27-year-old guard drove past Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert, pulled up from just inside the free-throw line, and sank a jump shot as the buzzer sounded, giving the Los Angeles Lakers a 116-115 road win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Minneapolis. Reaves finished with 28 points and 16 assists in 41 minutes, playing through the absence of three key stars: LeBron James (sciatica), Luka Dončić (left finger sprain and leg contusion), and Marcus Morris. Then, in the final minute, Anthony Davis went down with an undisclosed injury, turning a dramatic win into a concerning turning point.

How the Lakers Won Without Their Superstars

The Lakers entered the game already shorthanded. LeBron James had missed the previous three contests due to sciatica, while Luka Dončić, acquired in a blockbuster offseason trade, was sidelined with a lingering finger sprain and lower leg bruise. Marcus Morris, a veteran forward, was also out—though his absence wasn’t tied to a specific injury report. Still, the Lakers didn’t fold. Instead, they leaned on Reaves and rookie forward Jake LaRavia, who erupted for 27 points on a perfect 10-for-11 shooting night, including five three-pointers. With 2:30 left, the Timberwolves had erased an 114-106 deficit with a 9-0 run, taking a one-point lead. That’s when Reaves took over.

LaRavia inbounded from midcourt. Reaves caught it, crossed over McDaniels, slipped between him and Rudy Gobert, and elevated—no hesitation. The ball swished. The arena fell silent. The Lakers had won. It was the kind of moment that turns fringe players into franchise icons. And Reaves? He’s no longer a fringe player.

Austin Reaves: The Unexpected Engine of the Lakers’ Rebuild

Since the start of the 2025-2026 season, Reaves has been the Lakers’ most consistent force. According to Fadeaway World’s Nico Martinez, who broke down the numbers on October 30, Reaves is averaging 34.2 points, 10.0 assists, and 1.8 steals per game on 52.5% shooting. That’s not just good—it’s All-Star level, especially for a player who was a second-round pick just four years ago. "At 27, he’s not even in his prime and still has room to grow," Martinez wrote. "The Lakers need to do everything they can to lock Reaves into a long-term deal."

Reaves hasn’t publicly confirmed his intentions, but indirect reports suggest he wants to stay in Los Angeles. "He prefers to stay in Los Angeles and play alongside LeBron James and Luka Dončić for years to come," according to Fadeaway World. Still, he’s eligible to opt out of the final year of his current contract—a $18.4 million deal—this summer, making him an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2026. The Lakers’ front office, led by General Manager Rob Pelinka and Head Coach JJ Redick, now faces a ticking clock. They can’t afford to wait until free agency opens. They need to negotiate now.

The Injury Woes That Could Derail Everything

But here’s the twist: the very win that made Reaves a hero might have cost the Lakers their other superstar. Anthony Davis, the 30-year-old center who’s been the defensive anchor since 2019, left the game late with an undisclosed injury. No details were released—no MRI schedule, no estimated timeline. Just silence. That’s the worst-case scenario for a team already missing its top three players.

James, Dončić, and Davis are the core. Without them, the Lakers are a 3-2 team with a lot of heart but little depth. Davis has played 70+ games in five of the last six seasons. He’s durable. If he’s hurt now, it’s not a minor tweak. It’s a red flag. The Lakers’ next game is Saturday, November 1, against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. If Davis can’t play, and James and Dončić remain sidelined, the Lakers will be down to Reaves, LaRavia, and Deandre Ayton as their primary offensive options. That’s not sustainable over a 82-game season.

Why This Game Matters Beyond the Box Score

This wasn’t just another win. It was proof the Lakers can win without their stars—if they have Reaves. But it also exposed their fragility. The Timberwolves, led by Julius Randle (33 points, 6 assists) and Jaden McDaniels (30 points), showed they’re a legitimate playoff threat. The Lakers’ margin for error is razor-thin.

"At full strength, they may even be on par with the best in the West," Martinez noted. "But if they can’t stay healthy? They’re just another team with big names and no depth."

The Lakers’ front office knows this. That’s why Reaves’ contract isn’t just a transaction—it’s a lifeline. If they lose him to free agency next summer, they’ll be back to square one: rebuilding around a fractured core. If they lock him in, even with injuries, they’ve got a foundation. The question isn’t whether Reaves can carry the team. It’s whether the Lakers will give him the chance to stay.

What’s Next? The Clock Is Ticking

The next 30 days will be critical. James and Dončić are expected to return before the All-Star break, but Davis’s status remains unknown. The Lakers have six games in November before the international break. If they go 4-2 or worse without Davis, the panic will rise. If they go 6-0? The narrative shifts. Reaves becomes the face of the franchise. The contract talks move from "likely" to "urgent."

Meanwhile, the NBA’s trade deadline is February 2026. The Lakers could use cap space to add depth, but only if they extend Reaves first. The salary cap is projected to rise next season—meaning his market value will skyrocket. Waiting until July 1, 2026, might cost them a first-round pick in a sign-and-trade. Or worse—they could lose him outright.

For now, the Lakers are riding a wave of emotion. A buzzer-beater. A comeback. A star rising. But in the NBA, emotion doesn’t pay bills. Contracts do.