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USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

After a disappointing loss to the Indiana Pacers by a buzzer-beater three, the Lakers had something to celebrate after they defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 128-109 behind LeBron James and Anthony Davis? 58-point combined performance. But another player who rose to the occasion was Austin Reaves.?

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The 6’5″ shooting guard, who went undrafted in the 2021 NBA draft, had a season-high performance against the Portland Trail Blazers. However, fans online seemed to feel that LeBron James stole the spotlight off him in the post-game interview.?

LeBron James steals the spotlight from Austin Reaves

Though LeBron James and Anthony Davis led the team in scoring, Austin Reaves wasn?t too far behind. He ended the night with a season-high 22-point performance. And though LeBron James was hyped for him, his NSFW antics didn?t rub off too well with fans.

USA Today via Reuters

As Reaves was talking to the reporter, James came up from behind and wrapped his arm around Reaves? neck. And James started off by saying that he would not say a word, but what he did say pretty much gave it away.?

And fans were not happy that ?The King? did not let Reaves have his moment. One fan tweeted, ?LeFoulMouth.? While another fan commented, ?Shame on LeBron. Has such a huge ego. Let reaves enjoy his moment. LeNoFunJames.?

https://twitter.com/Coda_10/status/1598209134050308097?s=20&t=iqglTFHFSa_qiatNUjZ4Pg

Here are some more reactions from NBA Twitter:

https://twitter.com/W3DGY15B4CK/status/1598208795502841856?s=20&t=iqglTFHFSa_qiatNUjZ4Pg

Fans voiced their displeasure at James bombarding Austin Reaves? moment during his post-game interview.

As for the game, James seemingly used some of the energy he usually saves for the playoffs in their win against the Portland Trail Blazers. He put up 31 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists while shooting an amazing 75% and 6-8 from beyond the arc.?

Darvin Ham’s rotation experimentation seems to be paying off

Anthony Davis poured in his usual double-double performance of 27 points and 12 rebounds along with 3 blocks as well. And then came Austin Reaves? 22-point performance. He shot 7-10 from the field, only missing shots from beyond the arc.?

Russell Westbrook did not score a bunch of points as he had a relatively slow night, shooting 4-14 from the field, scoring only 10 points. But the two three-pointers he made arguably kept the momentum in the Lakers? favor.

After hitting the second half-court buzzer-beater, Westbrook had all the right to showboat as he danced after nailing the shot.

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It seems as if Lakers head coach Darvin Ham?s decision to start Reaves was not a bad choice after all. In the 20 games the Lakers have played, Reaves has started eight of them.

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It will be interesting to see if fans get to witness more of him on the floor as the Los Angeles Lakers will be looking to build on their 8-12 record for the season so far.?

Do you think the Lakers will reach the playoffs this season? Let us know in the comments below.