NBA Notes: Lakers, Austin Reaves, Rockets, Kevin Durant, Bulls

Lakers

Austin Reaves did it again.

The veteran guard dropped in a 12-foot floater right before the buzzer to give the Lakers a 116–115 win over the Timberwolves on Wednesday night. Reaves finished with 28 points and matched his career high with 16 assists, carrying a short-handed Lakers team missing both LeBron James and Luka Doncic.

Jake LaRavia scored 27 points on 10-for-11 shooting, and DeAndre Ayton added 17 points and 10 rebounds as Los Angeles held off a late 14–2 Minnesota run.

The Lakers had led by as many as 20 before Julius Randle and Jaden McDaniels nearly stole it for the Wolves. Randle scored 33, McDaniels added 30, and Minnesota briefly took the lead with 10 seconds left before Reaves answered.

Reaves has been on a tear lately — 51 points Sunday, 41 Monday, and now a buzzer-beater.

Even Anthony Edwards, who sat out with an injury, couldn’t resist chirping from the bench as LaRavia caught fire.

Rockets

The Rockets looked like a team that’s finally finding some rhythm. Kevin Durant scored 31, Jabari Smith Jr. poured in 25, and Alperen Sengun nearly posted a triple-double as Houston ran past the Raptors 139–121.

Houston dominated the glass 53–22 and got at least five rebounds from seven different players. Amen Thompson scored 18, Tari Eason added 14, and Steven Adams grabbed 12 boards in the win.

Toronto, now 1–4, shot well from deep (21-of-40 from three) but couldn’t keep up inside.

Scottie Barnes scored 31 and Brandon Ingram added 29. Rookie Collin Murray-Boyles chipped in 13 in his first start with Jakob Poeltl out.

Bulls

The Bulls stayed unbeaten at 4–0 after topping the Kings 126–113. Matas Buzelis led the way with 27 points, while Josh Giddey came close to a triple-double (20 points, 12 assists, 8 rebounds).

Nikola Vucevic added 13 points and 14 rebounds as Chicago shot nearly 54 percent from the field.

Zach LaVine returned to Chicago for the first time since being traded to Sacramento and scored 30. The Bulls honored him with a tribute video in the first quarter.

Former Bull DeMar DeRozan had 19, and Domantas Sabonis added 18 points and 11 boards.

Chicago is off to its best start since 2021–22 and looks every bit like a team playing with chemistry and confidence.