Austin Reaves capped a 28-point, 16-assist performance with a game-winning floater at the buzzer to lift the Los Angeles Lakers to a 116-115 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night. The shot marked the first buzzer-beater of the 2025-26 NBA season and gave the Lakers their second win over Minnesota in the span of a week.

The winning play came with 6.6 seconds remaining, after a sideline inbounds near midcourt. Reaves took the pass, split a double-team from Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert at the top of the key, drove into the lane, and lofted a 12-foot floater over Donte DiVincenzo just as time expired.

Reaves finished 9 for 24 from the field but tied his career high with 16 assists, helping Los Angeles build a 20-point lead late in the third quarter. The Lakers were in position to cruise, but Minnesota stormed back with a 14-2 run in the final minutes. Julius Randle’s driving layup gave the Timberwolves a 115-114 lead with 10.2 seconds remaining before Reaves delivered the game winning shot.

The performance continued a breakout stretch for Reaves as the Lakers play without Luka Doncic (left leg contusion and finger sprain) and LeBron James (sciatica). On Sunday, Reaves scored a career-high 51 points with 11 rebounds and 9 assists against the Kings, then followed with 41 points against Portland on Monday. With multiple guards also sidelined, Reaves has taken on the primary ball-handling role and is drawing increased defensive pressure each night.

Through the early part of the season, Reaves is averaging 34.2 points, 10 assists, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game. He leads the NBA in free throws made per game at 10.4 and is shooting 52.5% from the field, 38.5% from three, and 89.7% from the free throw line.