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‘Never Got a Chance,’ ‘Such a Big Jump’ — 3-Time NBA All-Star Makes Case for Lakers Star Austin Reaves’ Readiness To Be a No. 1 Option

'Never Got a Chance,' 'Such a Big Jump' — 3-Time NBA All-Star Ignites Debate Over Lakers Star Austin Reaves' Potential As No.

✦ Extractive summary — built from the sources' own reporting•From 1 source•1 min read•Updated November 10, 2026, 9:05 AM UTC
Key points
  • 1 Option During Monday’s edition of “Gil’s Arena,” Arenas first acknowledged Reaves’ growing case for being the league’s premier secondary offensive threat before wondering how much more he could do with a team of his own.
  • His 361 points marked the third-most through nine games of a season in NBA history, leaving Reaves’ chances to lead the Lakers’ offense few and far between.
  • So much so that Gilbert Arenas believes the Lakers star deserves a chance to prove he can be a full-time No.

The three-time NBA All-Star made Reaves’ case a day after the undrafted guard erupted for a season-high 43 points in LA’s 121-116 road win over the Detroit Pistons with Dončić (back) sidelined.

That’s such a big jump that it’s like, ‘Wait, hold on.'” As for this season, Dončić has sat out two contests thus far, each on a back-to-back, and the Lakers won them both to pad their league-best 10-2 record.

Additional details
  • Combined with Sunday’s 43-point outburst, Reaves is averaging 29.5 points per game across two outings in the two-time NBA scoring champion’s absence.
  • 1 Option While Luka Dončić has soaked up most of the spotlight in Los Angeles, Austin Reaves has been making plenty of noise himself.
  • 2 in recent years that actually never got a chance to fully have the team to himself, so you could really see what it is.
  • 28, Reaves managed 16 points on 6-for-16 shooting (37.5%), including 1-for-6 from deep (16.7%), and committed 8 turnovers while Quentin Grimes (23 points) and Collin Sexton (21) carried heavier scoring loads.
  • The roles were reversed Monday, as Dončić returned with 32 points, 8 rebounds, 10 assists, and 5 steals in a 124-114 win over the Atlanta Hawks, while Reaves sat out with an illness.

How this summary was made: extractive summary — built from the sources' own reporting. It is drawn only from the reporting of the sources listed below — read the originals for full detail. How we summarize →

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Yahoo SportsNovember 10, 2026, 9:05 AM UTC →

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