Austin Reaves scores 43 as Lakers beat Pistons without Luka Dončić, 121-116

Lakers hold off Detroit without Dončić

The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Detroit Pistons 121-116 at Little Caesars Arena on Sunday, 8 November, with Luka Dončić ruled out by lower-back tightness. Austin Reaves led every scorer with 43 points, and Walker Kessler added 12 points and 16 rebounds. The win ended a run of four straight losses to Detroit and kept Los Angeles atop the Western Conference at nine wins from 11 games.

Detroit spent much of the first half in a deep hole, trailing 40-14 early in the second quarter. Daniss Jenkins hit a three at the buzzer, but the Lakers still led 61-48 at halftime. The Pistons later closed to within a single point, before Reaves answered with an off-balance three and then made free throws in the closing seconds. Jenkins finished with a career-high 31 points in 32 minutes off the bench, and Kevin Huerter added 24 points, also from the bench. Detroit had lost two in a row after a 6-1 start.

Reaves and the Lakers' depth

JJ Redick told The Athletic that Reaves' success comes down to one trait.

“I think there's one thing that stands out the most, and that is a supreme belief in self.”

Through 11 games, Reaves is averaging 25.3 points, tied for 11th in the league, and he shoots 50.8 percent from the floor. Detroit entered the game with the NBA's best defensive rating at 103.0, and the Lakers shot 16 of 23 from the field (69.6%) and five of eight from three (62.5%). Kessler said that when Dončić is on the floor Reaves usually takes a secondary role.

“But I mean, as you can see now, he's very capable.”

Quentin Grimes and Collin Sexton were brought in over the summer to take pressure off the Lakers' top players, and both made key plays on Sunday, Grimes early and Sexton late.

Austin Reaves (Lakers)43

Daniss Jenkins (Pistons)31

Jaylen Brown (76ers)29

Tyrese Maxey (76ers)27

Paul George (Celtics)27

Kevin Huerter (Pistons)24

LeBron James (76ers)22

Austin Reaves (Lakers)

43 points

Daniss Jenkins (Pistons)

31 points

Jaylen Brown (76ers)

29 points

Tyrese Maxey (76ers)

27 points

Paul George (Celtics)

27 points

Kevin Huerter (Pistons)

24 points

LeBron James (76ers)

22 points

Data from the article text

Sixers take the top spot in the East

In Chicago, Philadelphia beat the Bulls 127-121 for its ninth win in 11 games, and it has lost only two games this season. LeBron James scored 22 points and handed out five assists in his first season with the 76ers after eight years with the Lakers. Jaylen Brown scored 29 points and Tyrese Maxey added 27. The start is the 76ers' best in 26 years, and the Lakers and Sixers are the only teams with nine wins so far.

Other results from Sunday night

Boston beat Milwaukee 117-97, its eighth win in ten games, as Paul George scored 27 points for the Celtics. Dallas beat Brooklyn 130-93. The LA Clippers beat New Orleans 139-123, Miami edged Sacramento 114-108, and Minnesota beat Utah 115-100.

What comes next

The Lakers play at Atlanta on Monday, 9 November, and the Pistons host Washington the same evening. Both games are still to be played.