Lakers Triumph Over Trail Blazers in Doncic’s Absence

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers ended a two-game losing streak with a 110-102 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on February 21, 2025. The win came without the team’s newly acquired star Luka Dončić, who is currently sidelined with an adductor strain.

Austin Reaves emerged as a key player in the match, scoring 32 points after recently facing criticism for his performance in a previous game. Reaves, who has had a strong season, averaged 19 points, four rebounds, and six assists so far this year, fulfilling expectations as a potential third star alongside LeBron James and Dončić.

“Austin Reaves is having a great year, he’s balling,” said former NBA player Patrick Beverley during a recent podcast, where he labeled Reaves the ‘best third option’ in the league. However, Chandler Parsons, a fellow basketball analyst, questioned this assertion, citing competition from players on other teams such as Darius Garland and Paul George.

Beverley also weighed in on the debate, mentioning, “Is he better than Jrue Holiday and Payton Pritchard or Dereck White?” This commentary fueled discussions about Reaves’ standing among other notable players who play similar roles on their respective teams.

Despite these debates, Reaves made Lakers history by being the first player to achieve a 40-point, 5-rebound, and 5-assist game since Kobe Bryant, highlighting his significant contributions to the team. “You have to impact the offense more as we move forward,” Reaves remarked after the game, emphasizing the need to find alternative scoring methods as the team navigates its offensive strategies.

Former Bruin Norman Powell of the Los Angeles Clippers was also acknowledged for his strong performance this season. He ranked third in Beverley’s list of top third options in the NBA, following Reaves and Kyle Kuzma. “Being considered a third option behind James Harden and Kawhi Leonard is significant,” Powell stated, noting he leads the Clippers in scoring.

Looking ahead, the Lakers and Reaves will need to maintain high performance levels to remain competitive as the playoffs approach. The question of who truly is the best third option may not find an answer until the postseason begins, which could shift the dynamics in the ongoing debates about the league’s rising stars.