Austin Reaves jests about intentionally missing free throw to boost Luka Doncic's confidence: "I need to keep him feeling good"

One of the NBA's most amusing on-court friendships is between Los Angeles Lakers stars Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Throughout the season, the pair have exchanged playful banter, teasing each other both during games and in interviews.

The lighthearted rivalry continued following the Lakers' win against the New Orleans Pelicans. Reaves jokingly claimed he intentionally missed a free throw with 3:30 remaining to ensure Doncic stayed the teams leading scorer and avoid outscoring him for the second consecutive game.

Lakers Momentum On and Off the Court

The Lakers boast a roster capable of making a legitimate championship run this season. While talent is vital, team chemistry is equally important. Reaves and Doncic exemplify this dynamic, maintaining a strong rapport despite their playful jabs.

During the Lakers' 133-121 victory over the Pelicans, Reaves went to the free-throw line after being fouled. He made the first shot, missed the second, and ended the game with 33 pointsone short of Doncics total. Reaves humorously admitted the miss was intentional. I got to keep Luka's confidence high. I don't need to outscore him two nights in a row, he said with a grin.

On a more personal note, Reaves acknowledged the one person who will always give him grief for missed free throws: his mother. My mom will give me crap about missing that. She hates when I miss free throws, he added.

When asked about Reaves' gesture, Doncic responded deadpan but appreciatively. Yeah, I appreciate him. Im going to go talk to him now, say thank you, he said, bringing laughter from the media.

Lakers Current Streak

The team is on a seven-game winning streak, boasting a 15-4 record, second-best in the Western Conference. Reaves attributed much of the teams success to improved focus and attention to detail. I just think we're getting better all around, the attention to detail, a little bit of everything, he said.

Despite the win, Reaves was critical of the teams performance against a Pelicans squad missing Zion Williamson and Jordan Poole, which managed to reduce the Lakers lead to 11 points in the third quarter. Second half was pretty below par, but all that matters is we get a win. We'll watch a film and get back at it tomorrow, Reaves noted, emphasizing that the Lakers aim to improve even in victories.

Chemistry Matters

Title contenders thrive not only on the court but also in the locker room. While teammates do not need to be close friends to win championships, strong relationships boost morale and team cohesion, something the Lakers appear to have in spades.

This story was first published by Basketball Network on Dec 1, 2025.

Author: Sophia Brooks