Sports · Basketball · 1 hr ago
Austin Reaves scores 43 as Lakers beat Pistons without Doncic
Austin Reaves scored 43 points to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 121-116 road win over the Detroit Pistons on Sunday.
The Lakers won without Luka Doncic, who missed the game because of tightness in his lower back.
Doncic is the NBA’s leading scorer this season, averaging 40.1 points per game, and this was his second absence.
Reaves filled the scoring role with 14 baskets on 27 shots and made all 11 of his free throws.
The Lakers also got double-digit scoring from four teammates, including Collin Sexton and Ziaire Williams with 17 points each.
Los Angeles extended its winning streak to five and improved its record to 9-2, including two wins in games Doncic has missed.
Coach J.J. Redick said he was not concerned about the back issue becoming a long-term problem, and Doncic was likely to return for Monday’s game in Atlanta.
Austin Reaves scored a season-high 43 points as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Detroit Pistons 121-116.
Reaves led the Lakers’ offense with Luka Doncic sidelined by tightness in his lower back.
The Lakers extended their winning streak to five games and improved their record to 9-2.
Detroit cut the Lakers’ lead to one point in the fourth quarter but could not take the lead.
The Lakers had five players score in double digits against the NBA’s top-ranked defense.
- Who
- Austin Reaves and the Los Angeles Lakers faced the Detroit Pistons.
- What
- The Lakers won 121-116, led by Reaves’ season-high 43 points.
- When
- Sunday, November 8, 2026.
- Where
- Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan.
- Why
- Reaves took on a leading scoring role because Luka Doncic missed the game with tightness in his lower back.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Luka Doncic was ruled out with tightness in his lower back.
The Lakers built a 38-14 lead in the first quarter.
Reaves made a banked-in three-pointer.
Detroit cut the deficit to one point while Reaves rested.
The Lakers beat the Pistons 121-116.
- Reaves’ points
- 43
- Final score
- Lakers 121, Pistons 116
- Reaves’ field goals
- 14 of 27
- Reaves’ three-pointers
- 4 of 6
- Lakers’ record
- 9-2
- Doncic’s reason for missing game
- Tightness in his lower back
10 sources
L.A. Notes: Reaves, Grimes, Ingram, Niederhauser
Pistons vs. Lakers: Austin Reaves pulls a Doncic to beat Detroit
Reaves steps into Luka's shoes, drops 43 in win vs. Pistons
Reaves scores 43 points, leads Doncic-less Lakers past Pistons
What people are saying
Honestly, when I stepped back and shot it, I was like, 'This is some bulls--- Luka would shoot,'
Guys have to step up when someone's averaging 40,
I thought AR's decision-making, his aggression, his ability to just consistently touch the paint and get downhill was fantastic tonight,
I mean, Luka game, Austin game: Lakers win,
Posts on X
AUSTIN REAVES ERUPTED FOR 43 POINTS! 43 PTS 5 REB 4 3PM 5 WINS IN A ROW FOR THE LAKERS 🔥
Luka Dončić (low back tightness) has been downgraded to out for tonight’s game at Detroit, per the Lakers.
"I don't know what you're talking about." – Austin Reaves when asked about the interactions with the courtside fan