Although most of the headlines about the Los Angeles Lakers are revolving around Lonnie Walker IV, their Monday night win over the Golden State Warriors in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals was really a team effort.
Walker dominated the fourth quarter, but other stars were shining throughout the game, including Austin Reaves.
Reaves spoke about the victory to the press and said that the team is ready to keep fighting and earn a series win in Game 5.
“This series is far from over,” Reaves told the media on Monday night.
“You still gotta go get one more…this series is far from over.” Austin Reaves on closing the series out against the Warriors. pic.twitter.com/W8JYET1MO6
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) May 9, 2023
Reaves admitted that he hadn’t been playing very well so far in this series.
But that wasn’t the case on Monday night.
In Game 4, Reaves looked like his regular self again and scored 21 points.
Reaves said he has received nothing but support from his team, even during the tough moments when his shots weren’t falling.
There was speculation about Lakers coach Darvin Ham electing to bench Reaves in place of a different starter.
Following Monday night’s success, that doesn’t seem nearly as likely.
Reaves and the Lakers feel very good about the victory, especially since it was made possible by multiple players doing so well.
But they all agree that the series still has a lot left in it.
They don’t want to give the Warriors any wiggle room to stage an astonishing comeback.
Some fans want Ham to allow the biggest stars to rest more in Game 5, preparing them for Game 6 back in Los Angeles.
But if Reaves’ comments are any indication, that isn’t going to happen because the Lakers don’t think this series is over just yet.
NEXT: Mike Greenberg Has A Surprising Suggestion For Lakers In Game 5