In case it wasn’t already obvious, it’s now clear why Austin Reaves turned down the Lakers’ four-year, $89.2 million extension this past offseason.

Reaves was already off to a phenomenal start this season with 50 points, 20 assists, 12 rebounds and a trio of three-pointers across his first two games. But with both Luka Dončić and LeBron James sidelined on Sunday night against the Sacramento Kings, Reaves turned in a tour de force. He poured in a career-high 51 points on 12-of-22 shooting (including 6-of-10 from deep), attempted a career-high 22 free throws and chipped in 11 rebounds, nine assists and two steals in the Lakers’ 127-120 victory.

Dončić is set to miss at least one week with a left finger sprain and lower left leg contusion, while James isn’t likely to return until early to m

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