Austin Reaves stood out during the preseason this year for the Los Angeles Lakers, and it looks like he’s ready to build upon what he did last season, as well as what he did while with Team USA in the FIBA World Cup.
He shot a high percentage during the preseason, just as he did last season, and on Thursday against the Phoenix Suns, he scored 14 points and hit 3-of-4 from 3-point range while dishing off three assists and adding two steals and two blocks in 24 minutes.
But on one play near the end of the first half, Reaves came up on the short end.
He was guarding future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant, who easily hit a jumper over him with about five seconds remaining. Once the horn sounded, Durant gave Reaves the “too small” gesture (h/t Lakers Daily).
Kevin Durant trolls Austin Reaves With The Infamous “ Too Small ” Celebration After The Lebron James Miss At The Buzzer 😂 pic.twitter.com/WtTgTl7DqA
— LakeShowJerry (@LakeShowJerry) October 20, 2023
The aftermath
Reaves isn’t one to back off or back away from a challenge, but like all great competitors, he knew he was out of his league trying to guard Durant.
After the game, the undrafted guard said Durant told Lakers assistant coach Jordan Ott to not let him guard Durant next Thursday when they will play the Suns again. Reaves admitted there isn’t much he can do defensively one-on-one versus the Suns forward.
Kevin Durant scored on Austin Reaves on Thursday and shouted out to Lakers asst coach, Jordan Ott, who was an asst in BKN with KD: “Don’t have him guard me next week”
Reaves’ response? “Bro, what am I supposed to do (on defense)?! … It’s a problem” pic.twitter.com/ePeHI7R7Vd
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 20, 2023
On another note, Thursday was the first time Durant had played against LeBron James since Christmas Day 2018. The next matchup between the two on Oct. 26 should be must-see television.
