Lakers guard Austin Reaves, who had 32 points on Thursday's win, feels his team has grown in its ability to handle young and feisty opponents.

The Los Angeles Lakers are benefiting from Austin Reaves' strong offensive contributions. He has become one of the key leaders on that end of the floor. Following his rise, Reaves took a moment to reflect on his early years.

Coach JJ Redick's Los Angeles Lakers slipped to fifth place in the Western Conference in recent days, in a deadlock with coach Ime Udoka's Houston Rockets, following the recent trade that brought Luka Doncic to the City of Angels.