The Los Angeles Lakers are navigating a challenging road trip, but they are doing it without their marquee star, Luka Doncic. The Slovenian sensation has been absent from the lineup, missing a game against the Toronto Raptors and is also likely to sit out the upcoming Friday night clash against the Boston Celtics. Doncic is away from the team due to a personal reason: he and his fiancée, Anamaria Goltes, are expecting their second child.
Reeves Steps Up But Misses His Star Partner
Despite Doncic's absence, the Lakers secured a narrow victory over the Toronto Raptors, winning by a 3-point margin. The win was spearheaded by an outstanding performance from Austin Reeves, who put up a staggering 44 points, 5 rebounds, and 10 assists. Other key contributors included DeAndre Ayton (17 points), Jake LaRavia (14 points), and Rui Hachimura (12 points). Notably, veteran LeBron James had a quieter night, scoring only 8 points alongside 6 rebounds and 11 assists in 36 minutes of play.
"Please Hurry Back": The Hilarious Post-Game Plea
The spotlight, however, shifted from the on-court victory to a moment of off-court camaraderie during the post-game interview. When asked about his impressive average of over 40 points in the four games played without Luka Doncic, Austin Reeves delivered a response that was both funny and heartfelt.
Reeves chose not to focus on his stats but instead used the platform to send a direct message to his absent teammate. "I don't know, he might be asleep right now. I don't know Luka. Please hurry back. I miss you, my brother," Reeves stated, sending the reporter and everyone present into fits of laughter.
A Bromance That Highlights Team Chemistry
This adorable exchange underscores the strong bond that has quickly developed between Reeves and Doncic in the latter's first year with the Lakers. Reeves' hilarious request, while lighthearted, also revealed a deeper sentiment. It highlighted that even a stellar individual performance and a team win cannot fully compensate for the absence of a player of Doncic's calibre and presence.
The moment suggests that the entire Lakers squad feels the void left by their star. As the team continues its road trip, all eyes will be on when the 'Luka magic' will return to the court, a return that Austin Reeves, for one, is eagerly and amusingly awaiting.
