Lakers guard Austin Reaves has had a breakout campaign this season, and his talents were one of the main reasons why Los Angeles pulled out a 128–112 win over the Grizzlies in Game 1 of the first round in the 2023 NBA playoffs on Sunday.
Reaves showed out in the fourth quarter specifically, scoring 14 points then after tallying just nine points combined in the three quarters prior. He finished the game with 23 points, four assists and three rebounds.
His late heroics prompted Reaves to chant “I’m him!” to the Lakers bench. After the game, the 24-year-old couldn’t stop smiling in his press conference when asked about this.
“I know it’s a lot of emotions,” Reaves said. “You dream about being on a stage like this with the best basketball players in the world. It’s the playoffs. I got hot late and, you know, had fun.”
Austin Reaves on his "I'm him" shout in the 4Q 🗣️
— NBA (@NBA) April 16, 2023
He dropped 23 points in the Lakers Game 1 win. pic.twitter.com/YyDlIObjsu
Reaves will take the court next Wednesday night when the Lakers face the Grizzlies for Game 2.