Luka Doncic openly expresses his enjoyment of playing with Austin Reaves: "The ultimate praise from me"

The Los Angeles Lakers are shaking up the Western Conference, and at the heart of their success is the dynamic pairing of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Their on-court connection, full of banter, handshakes, and playful trash talk, is translating into impressive results.

In a recent 129-119 victory over the Dallas Mavericks, Reaves led the charge with a game-high 38 points and eight rebounds, while Doncic contributed 35 points and 11 assists. This marks the second consecutive game where both players scored over 30 points, highlighting their growing synergy.

The Lakers have maintained an undefeated streak in NBA Cup group play, securing home-court advantage for the quarterfinals. Additionally, they have won six straight games, holding second place in the Western Conference with a 14-4 record.

Mutual Respect Emerges Between Stars

For the first time this season, Doncic openly praised Reaves. "He's been amazing all season. Hes helped me a lot. Just great to have him on my team," Doncic said. "Together, we can do so much. Im happy to be his teammate."

Less than four minutes into the game, Reaves made a dunk and playfully signaled two fingers, referencing having two more dunks than Doncic this season. Their playful rivalry continued in postgame interviews, where roasting each other has been a long-running joke.

However, against the Mavericks, Doncic finally broke character and showed genuine admiration: "He's very good That's probably the last compliment I'll ever give him." Reaves, averaging 27.9 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 5.7 assists, reciprocated cautiously: "I usually don't give Luka too many compliments, but hes been one of the best players in the league. Every night they throw a blitz on him, so we make the right reads."

Doncic, averaging 35.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 9.2 assists, agreed that recognition was deserved, though he and Reaves both set boundaries. "That's the ONE compliment I'll give him," Reaves emphasized.

Adjusting to Life in L.A.

After being traded from Dallas in February, fans questioned how Doncic would fit into the Lakers system and culture, especially since he once thought hed remain in Dallas indefinitely. Focusing on the present, he embraced his new environment, aided by team bonding activities like training camp and even a Porsche driving experience. Only 18 games into the season, Doncic is fully settled, with Reaves playful interactions strengthening their connection.

This developing partnership has become a key factor in the Lakers strong season start, combining talent, camaraderie, and a touch of humor to drive their winning streak.

Author: Sophia Brooks