The Los Angeles Lakers ended a two-game skid with a commanding 124-104 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night. Austin Reaves, returning from injury, made a significant impact off the bench, signaling positive progress ahead of the All-Star break. His continued recovery and performance remain the focus, as the team aims to regain momentum in a tough season.
LeBron James led the charge with a historic triple-double, scoring 28 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and dishing out 10 assists, becoming the oldest player in NBA history to achieve this milestone at 41 years and 44 days old, surpassing the previous record set by Karl Malone.
Strong Contribution from Reaves in Limited Minutes
Austin Reaves scored 18 points, alongside four rebounds and six assists in 28 minutes during the win. He shot efficiently for 5-of-10 from the field, including a three-pointer, and converted 7-of-9 free throws. This performance marked his fifth game back after missing 19 contests since late December due to a calf injury sustained just before the new year.
Asked about his current condition as he increases his game load, Reaves commented,
“I feel better when I’m on a golf course in the morning, but feel good right now. Legs are a little tired, but it’s part of getting back into basketball shape and playing real games.”
?Austin Reaves, Lakers Player
Since returning during the last game of a demanding eight-game road trip on February 3, Reaves has averaged 20 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1 steal per game, shooting 51.7% overall and 34.8% from beyond the arc. His efficient scoring output and playmaking in just 25.4 minutes per contest highlight a careful approach to rebuilding his rhythm.
Team Exercises Prudence Given Injury History
With Luka Doncic of the Mavericks sidelined due to a hamstring injury and the Lakers grappling with multiple absences throughout the season, cautious management of Reaves’ recovery is understandable. Though many anticipated his return earlier, the Lakers are prioritizing his long-term health to avoid setbacks.
ESPN analyst Dave McMenamin provided insight on the Lakers’ strategy, stating,
“But they want to make sure he’s completely comfortable by the time he goes into the lineup.”
“So it’s not like a stop-and-start type of situation, where he plays a game or two then needs to rest because that calf isn’t feeling fully right just yet.”
?Dave McMenamin, ESPN Reporter
Reaves has only missed the second night of back-to-back games to manage his workload. He will benefit from a seven-day pause during the All-Star break before the Lakers resume play against the Los Angeles Clippers on February 20.
Importance of Reaves’ Health for Lakers’ Future Outlook
Before his injury, Reaves was enjoying a career-best run, averaging 27.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and one steal per game over 22 contests. His shooting percentages included 50.4% from the field and 36.4% from three-point range, establishing him as a key offensive contributor together with LeBron James and Luka Doncic.
Maintaining Reaves’ health will be vital for the Lakers’ push during the final stretch of the season. Beyond immediate concerns, his improving form adds intrigue for the offseason, where he holds the option to opt out of his current contract and likely secure a substantial raise on the open market.
As the Lakers prepare for the post-All-Star schedule, the development of Austin Reaves from injury setback to effective contributor could significantly influence the team’s trajectory, underscoring why cautious optimism surrounds his progress.
https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/2022181150848938174
"I think LeBron was being himself, controlling the game and everybody followed suit after that."
Austin Reaves (18 PTS, 6 AST, 4 REB) speaks with @NikkiKaySN1 and the media following the 124-104 victory vs. Dallas heading into All-Star weekend. pic.twitter.com/mdx1tWBtHM
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) February 13, 2026
Joined @SportsCenter to discuss LeBron’s return to Cleveland and when we could see Austin Reaves back for L.A. pic.twitter.com/J0PwI6H9Ck
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 28, 2026
