Reaves scores 43 as Lakers beat Pistons in Detroit
Los Angeles snapped a four-game losing streak against Detroit despite the absence of Luka Doncic, with Walker Kessler also contributing a double-double.
By Nikolai Morales ·
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Detroit Pistons 121-116 on Sunday at Little Caesars Arena. The victory marked the end of a four-game losing streak for Los Angeles in their recent matchups against Detroit.
Austin Reaves led the Lakers with 43 points. He scored 13 of those points during the third quarter, a stretch where he kept the Pistons at bay for most of the period. Reaves hit an off-balance three-pointer with 46 seconds remaining in the game and then secured the win from the free-throw line.
Walker Kessler recorded 12 points and 16 rebounds for Los Angeles. The Lakers opened the game with a dominant first quarter, outscoring the Pistons by 24 points. The team shot 69.6% from the field, making 16 of 23 attempts, and converted five of eight three-pointers in that first period.
Detroit faced a significant early deficit, trailing 40-14 in the second quarter. The Pistons responded with a strong offensive showing in the second half. Daniss Jenkins scored a career-high 31 points in 32 minutes off the bench, while Kevin Huerter added 24 points. Together, the two bench players outscored the Lakers starting lineup 44-30.
Luka Doncic did not play due to lower-back tightness. He was ruled out earlier on Sunday. In his last four games, Doncic averaged 45 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. His absence forced the Lakers to rely more heavily on their other scorers to maintain their lead.
The Pistons had a chance to tie the game at 90 points with 9:14 left in the fourth quarter. Cade Cunningham missed the second of two free throws, allowing Los Angeles to regain control. The Lakers built a six-point lead with 3:32 remaining, and Kessler extended the advantage to 107-99 with 2:15 on the clock via a three-point play.
The Lakers will travel to Atlanta on Monday night. The Pistons will host the Washington Wizards on Monday night. Detroit has lost its last two games after a 6-1 start to the season.
