The fans of the Lakers have been crying out for one of their players to step up and perform when the likes of LeBron James and Anthony Davis don’t play. The fans’ desire was fulfilled when Austin Reaves delivered an exceptional performance, guiding the Los Angeles Lakers to a surprising victory against the Boston Celtics. With LeBron and AD missing, the Lakers’ supporting cast rose to the occasion and persevered to win the game by a scoreline of  105-114.

D’Angelo Russell, Jaxson Hayes and Rui Hachimura all made significant contributions in the game. However, Austin Reaves starred, recording a season-high 32 points in 35 minutes of playing time. Their win over the title favorites Celtics would go a long way in boosting the morale of the Lakers.

Following the game, Lakers’ HC Darvin Ham praised the players for stepping up in the absence of LeBron and Davis. He also revealed that he had a face-to-face meeting with Austin Reaves hours before the match. He said, “AR and I had a one-on-one conversation briefly yesterday when we got into town. I thanked him and showed my appreciation, verbally, for him and what he’s meant to our program. His scrappiness, his willingness to lay it on the line, he’s been nothing short of amazing.”

The Lakers’ victory over the Celtics might serve as the catalyst for a turnaround in their season because until now, the Lakers have under-delivered. The Lakers failed to build upon their impressive start, in which they clinched the very first In-Season tournament title. However, with more than 30 games remaining in the regular season, can the Lakers finish the season strongly and make a deep playoff run?

Are the Lakers still a legitimate title contender?

The Lakers have struggled to win games consistently, as evidenced by their record. With the season reaching its halfway mark, the Lakers currently languish in the 9th spot of the Western Conference standings, with 25 wins and 25 losses. However, they have shown glimpses of their potential, as demonstrated by their win over the league-leading Celtics.

Read More: Amid Trade Rumors, Austin Reaves Leads Lakers to Win vs Celtics w/o LeBron James and Anthony Davis

With the trade deadline just a week away, the Lakers’ hierarchy must act decisively in order to improve the roster and equip LeBron and AD with adequate support for another assault on the title. LeBron and the Lakers have consistently defied their doubters on numerous occasions, and this could be the most recent instance of their resilience. Can the Lakers bounce back and go on a deep postseason run, or will they falter? Let us know in the comments!

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