Win at all cost – Austin Reaves opens up on his mindset before a game

 

Los Angeles Lakers talisman Austin Reaves has been doing a fine job for the team in the recent past in the absence of LeBron James. Reaves scored 25 points against Phoenix Suns on Wednesday to lead his team to a 122-111 win.

Reaves also scored career-best 11 assists against the Suns. Furthermore, Anthony Davis top-scored with 27 points for the Lakers as they moved back to the number 10 spot in the Western Conference standings.

After the much-needed win for the Lakers, Reaves talked about his winning mentality on the court.

“For me, it’s really the same mindset going into every game, and it’s win — at all costs,” Reaves said of getting the starting job. “Win. That’s all that really matters.”

The Lakers currently have a 36-37 record and they will need to be at their absolute best in the remaining nine matches of the regular season.

“Obviously, we don’t want to be in this position,” Reaves said. “We’d like to be first in the league. But this is the position that we’re in. … So, it’s going to be hectic, but this is why you play the game. You want high-pressure moments, and you really want to play under the lights.”

Lakers head coach Darvin Ham also showered praise on Austin Reaves for delivering the goods for the team.

“I just felt like it made all sense in the world,” Ham said of the lineup change.

“And salute to Beas, being a pro’s pro, understanding the strategic part of it, and Beas was locked in and ready. Came off the bench and hit two big 3s for us and competed. That’s what we need, man.”

Lakers will next face Oklahoma City Thunder and Ham added his players know what is at stake at the moment for them.

“The guys know what’s at stake. We have to take advantage of this homestand,” Ham said. “It goes without being said, some of the games that slipped through our fingers [hurt us]. But that’s old news now. … Hopefully Friday we come out with the same type of juice and energy that we had tonight.”