Following the Los Angeles Lakers’ 4-0 sweep by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA playoffs, guard Austin Reaves opened up about his deep gratitude for LeBron James. Speaking after the Game 4 loss, Reaves reflected on James’ influence on his career.
“If LeBron comes back to the Lakers, it would mean a lot to me,” Reaves said. “He essentially took me under his wing during my rookie year, giving me every opportunity I could ask for and trusting me. I owe him a lot for my career. He gives me confidence every single day.”
Reaves also shared a touching moment from the game, where he missed a potential game-tying three-pointer in the final seconds. “After I missed that shot, he came to me and said, ‘Great shot. Good look. Keep your head up.'” That message from the four-time MVP was a reminder of the veteran’s leadership even in defeat.
The Lakers’ season ended abruptly, with the Thunder dominating the series from start to finish. Despite the disappointment, Reaves expressed optimism about the future and his desire to see James continue his career in Los Angeles.