The Los Angeles Lakers triumphed over the Golden State Warriors 115-113 on Christmas Day, as Austin Reaves and company were able to spoil a late-game comeback led by Stephen Curry.
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Following a pair of clutch threes from Curry, the score was tied 113-113 with six seconds left in regulation. This was when Reaves, who already secured the third triple-double of his career, took over and won it for the Lakers in San Francisco.
Warriors fans thought they were in for a Christmas miracle…
Enter Austin Reaves: pic.twitter.com/aOYAFKYAAn
— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) December 26, 2024
As for how it ended, Reaves said the final play call was designed for LeBron and not him.
THIS ANGLE OF THE AUSTIN REAVES GAME-WINNER >>>>> pic.twitter.com/lsUoEZrfZm
— Lakers Lead (@LakersLead) December 26, 2024
While walking into the tunnel, Reaves elaborated on what took place.
"Man, I'll be honest with y'all, that last play was not for me, it was for Bron. But I got the opportunity to go win us a game, and that's what ending up happening. That's a big win for the team. Huge win. it's Christmas Day... I'll remember this one for a long time."
Austin Reaves reveals the final play was supposed to be for LeBron but he stole the show instead 😂 pic.twitter.com/2FjmTlnTPp
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) December 26, 2024
During the postgame interviews, Reaves, who put up 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, noted that the whole moment was surreal for him.
"I'm not really an emotional person," Reaves said. "But when I was doing radio out there... Got the game ball, and threw it to D-Lo, there was a quick second where I thought I might tear up. That doesn't happen a lot. But it's Christmas."
Austin Reaves was emotional after hitting Christmas game-winner 🥲 pic.twitter.com/idiN9uR7Nd
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 26, 2024
Reaves continued, "I know my parents are back home watching, my brother is probably in Germany right now... All my people back home are locked in and sitting around watching the game."
“I’m not supposed to be in this position… I got lucky, put my foot in the door and took advantage of an opportunity”
- Austin Reaves almost cried after hitting the game-winner 🥹💜
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) December 26, 2024
"That means a lot to me. I say it all the time, I'm not necessarily supposed to be in this position. I got lucky, got my foot in the door and took advantage of an opportunity. Now, I'm sitting here, on Christmas, with a game-winner and a triple-double. It's really the win that matters the most to me."
In his fourth NBA season, Reaves, 26, is currently averaging a career-high 17.4 points per game, as the Lakers now improve to a 17-13 record.
Related: LeBron James Gives A Message To The NFL On Christmas
