Austin Reaves’ buzzer-beater seals Lakers’ 116–115 win in thriller

Austin Reaves delivered one of the most memorable performances of his NBA career on Wednesday night, sinking a driving jumper at the buzzer to hand the Los Angeles Lakers a dramatic 116–115 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center.

The 25-year-old guard showcased his all-around brilliance, scoring 28 points and dishing out 16 assists, guiding an injury-depleted Lakers lineup to an improbable road win. Playing without stars LeBron James and Luka Doncic, Los Angeles relied on Reaves’ poise and playmaking in crunch moments to secure the narrow triumph.

Minnesota’s Julius Randle poured in 33 points, while Jaden McDaniels added 30, but the Timberwolves’ late surge fell short as Reaves spectacularly sealed the game.

A Dramatic Finish Under Pressure

The closing seconds were tense. Minnesota held a 115–114 lead with 6.6 seconds remaining after Randle’s go-ahead layup. The Lakers had one final chance. Inbounding from near midcourt, Jake LaRavia passed to Reaves, who calmly dribbled between McDaniels and Rudy Gobert before rising for a jumper from just inside the free-throw line.

As the ball dropped through the net at the buzzer, the Lakers’ bench erupted, storming the court to celebrate their guard’s heroics.

“To have that opportunity for a big road win, especially with a lot of people out, is special,” Reaves said afterward. “We just kept competing. My teammates told me to go do what I do, and I’m glad I made that shot this time.”

Reaves’ comment referenced a similar situation from last season’s first-round playoff series, when he missed a potential game-tying buzzer-beater in the same arena — a miss that sealed the Lakers’ elimination. Wednesday’s redemption shot symbolized how far the young guard has come since then.

Injury-Hit Lakers Fight Back

The Lakers were forced to dig deep, missing several key contributors. Along with James (sciatica) and Doncic (finger and leg injuries), Marcus Smart, Gabe Vincent, and Maxi Kleber were also sidelined.

Despite the absences, Los Angeles showed resilience and teamwork. LaRavia stepped up with 27 points on 10-for-11 shooting, including 5-of-6 from beyond the arc. Jaxson Hayes returned from a knee injury to contribute defensively in limited minutes, while role players filled the gaps with effort and energy.

Los Angeles led 62–58 at halftime and maintained control through most of the third quarter before Minnesota mounted a fierce comeback in the final minutes. The Timberwolves trailed 114–106 with just over two minutes to go, but a 9–0 run — fueled by McDaniels’ three-pointer and a fast-break dunk — briefly put them ahead.

Then came Reaves’ moment of brilliance.

Minnesota’s Missed Opportunity

For the Timberwolves, the loss was a bitter one. Playing without leading scorer Anthony Edwards, who remains out with a right hamstring strain, Minnesota nearly pulled off a dramatic comeback but could not finish the job.

Randle’s 33-point performance highlighted his offensive efficiency, while McDaniels’ 30 points on 11-for-19 shooting offered much-needed support. Gobert, however, struggled to contain Reaves in the final sequence, unable to contest the game-winning jumper effectively.

Minnesota also missed contributions from Jaylen Clark, sidelined with a calf strain. The lack of depth and experience in late-game execution proved costly, as turnovers and defensive lapses opened the door for the Lakers’ last-second heroics.

Reaves Emerging as a Leader

Austin Reaves’ development into a reliable playmaker and clutch scorer has been one of Los Angeles’s brightest storylines this season. With James and Doncic often managing injuries, the former undrafted guard from Oklahoma has grown into a vital part of the Lakers’ system.

Head coach Darvin Ham praised Reaves for his composure and leadership:

“Austin is fearless. He studies the game, he works hard, and moments like these show his maturity. He kept everyone calm and believed we could win.”

Reaves’ 16 assists also reflected his growing ability to create for teammates, helping the Lakers maintain ball movement and tempo despite being shorthanded.

The Lakers’ victory improved their record to 5–3 on the season, a morale-boosting result given their injury list. They will next host the Phoenix Suns at Crypto.com Arena before beginning a three-game road stretch.

The Timberwolves, meanwhile, fell to 4–4 and will look to regroup when they face the Denver Nuggets in their upcoming fixture.

While the long NBA season will bring more challenges, Wednesday night in Minneapolis belonged to Austin Reaves — a player whose confidence and determination have made him one of the Lakers’ most dependable performers in times of crisis.