The Los Angeles Lakers are enjoying a stunning start to the 2025-25 campaign, thanks to their incredible backcourt duo. Despite missing LeBron James due to injury, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves have stood on business for the Purple & Gold. That’s because, apart from boasting a strong 5-2 record, five of LA’s first seven games have featured a 40-point performance from either Doncic or Reaves. This has become such a common occurrence that AR predicted Doncic getting 40 even before tip-off against Memphis. The result?

Well, the Slovenian point guard finished the night with 44 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists. After the game, when the 26-year-old was asked about his teammate predicting his box score, Doncic had a hilarious response. “Austin’s stupid,” he told Dave McMenamin, as Doncic burst into laughter. While that seemed to only the only glimpse of the duo’s bromance, that changed today, after the Lakers wrapped up their most recent win against the Heat.

Although neither Luka nor Austin touched the 40-point mark against Miami, after the game, AR clapped back at Luka Doncic for last Friday’s comments. When asked about how the superstar point guard is managing expectations with fun this season, something he’s been commanded to follow by head coach JJ Redick, Austin Reaves gave a hilarious response. “He’s an idiot. I don’t know what he did yesterday, but he was in a really good mood today, joking around, having a good time, ” Reaves told the reporters.

“I guess he’s a big football fan cuz he sits over there and watches the Chiefs-Bills game for a long time. He’s a Cowboys fan, I know. But yeah, it’s just, it’s human nature when things like last year happen. Nobody ever thought that that was going to happen. So, I’m sure he was in a state of shock and couldn’t believe it, and having to move his family. So, it was tough. And then now I think he’s just getting comfortable having a good time. But yeah, he’s he acts like a kid. he needs to grow up at some point.” He further explained.

While this back-and-forth between Reaves and Doncic has been in good spirits, as they seem to be building great chemistry both on and off the court, the shooting guard did give the Slovenian star some valuable advice in the end. The 27-year-old guard pointed out that while Doncic has now gotten comfortable and is having a great time in Southern California, he will have to pick up the pace, as this is a crucial season for LA. And it seems like the former Dallas star has also understood this, as he reflected on his and AR’s mistakes against Miami.

Luka Doncic reflects on his and Austin Reaves’ shortcomings against Miami

Well, so far this season, Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic haven’t missed a step, as both guards have been at the top of their games for the Los Angeles Lakers. However, despite having a solid outing against the Heat, where Doncic scored a triple-double with 29 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists, and Reaves had 26 points, along with 26 points, 11 assists and 4 rebounds, the Slovenian guard did not shy away from pointing out the duo’s shooting woes during their 130-120 win over the Heat.

“I think we shared the ball great tonight. Obviously, I think we could have like 150 points, honestly. If AR and I hit some shots, we would probably get 150. But I think we started playing the game well defensively and were good at sharing the ball,” Luka Doncic said postgame. “I mean, process is, of course, there are 74-75 games left, obviously there are going to be off-nights. Just get better shots, that’s all. Forget about the shots, we got the win, that’s the point. So move on and try to get another win.”

The 26-year-old, who went 9-of-22 from the field, including a terrible 1-of-11 from the three-point line, pointed out that he could’ve done much better if it weren’t for his shooting woes. Meanwhile, his backcourt partner also had an off night shooting-wise. That’s because Austin Reaves went 9-of-22 from the field, along with 4-of-14 from deep. Nonetheless, despite their struggles, the dynamic duo was able to lead their team to a comfortable win, but they will be hoping to improve upon this performance during their next matchup.