Austin Reaves not only secured the Lakers’ victory but also lifted Magic Johnson’s spirits in the process. In a thrilling 116-115 win against the Timberwolves, Reaves nailed a 12-foot shot at the buzzer to seal the win, completing a standout performance with 28 points and 16 assists that had the arena erupting. For the Lakers, it served as a reminder of how quickly momentum can shift in the fourth quarter. For Johnson, Reaves was undoubtedly the hero of the night.

“Austin Reaves was the Lakers’s hero tonight hitting the game winning shot and ending with 28 points and 16 assists!” Magic Johnson posted right after the game. A minute later, he added, “Austin, thank you for making me feel a little better after my Dodgers loss!”

Reaves’ late-game playmaking kept the Lakers alive when Minnesota rushed with a 14-2 run. One buzzer-beater later, he turned disappointment across LakersNation into celebration. And when the face of Showtime speaks, Lakers fans listen. And lately, Magic can’t stop talking about Reaves.

It’s not the first time Magic has publicly praised the 27-year-old guard. After Reaves’ jaw-dropping 51-point, 11-rebound, and 9-assist night against the Kings last week, Johnson lit up social media again, calling the performance “remarkable” and noting that he did it on only 22 shot attempts.

That post, by the way, pulled nearly 100,000 impressions in just a few hours. It’s safe to say the legend has found his new favorite Laker.

For context, Reaves is off to a shining start this season, averaging 35.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 8.5 assists on 57.3% shooting from the field and 42.9% from deep. He’s not just filling in for the absences of Luka Doncic and LeBron James.

And Magic, a man well-versed in statement games, has seen enough to commit. Johnson’s recent posts carried an added layer of emotion. The Dodgers’ surprising 6-1 loss to the Blue Jays in Game 5 left the co-owner watching his baseball empire teeter on the edge of elimination.

Magic Johnson’s endorsement of Austin Reaves keeps getting louder

He even threw the ceremonial first pitch hours before watching Toronto take control of the series. Then came Reaves, the undrafted Oklahoma guard turned Lakers darling, with the perfect medicine for a city in need of a win. 

In sports, timing is everything. For Magic, Reaves’ shot came at precisely the right moment. The Lakers, meanwhile, desperately needed this win. After a loss in their opener and struggles with late-game execution, Reaves’ buzzer-beater reminded the team how quickly momentum can shift. His synergy with Deandre Ayton and Rui Hachimura is beginning to take shape, and JJ Redick’s system appears more cohesive with Reaves running the offense.

While fans may joke that Magic’s tweets have become the new official Lakers press releases, there’s truth hidden in the humor. Johnson’s approval holds significant weight, especially for players vying for their place in Lakers history. Every compliment he gives Reaves feels like a nod from the rafters.

If Magic represents legacy, Reaves represents renewal. His style is old-school in rhythm but modern in confidence. Maybe that’s why Johnson’s words hit differently this time. It’s not just praise for a big shot. It’s recognition of a player stepping onto a bigger stage.

And while the Dodgers fight to save their season in Toronto, Magic’s spirits are safely back above sea level, thanks to one clutch floater, who now has more chance to prove that Magic’s belief isn’t nostalgia, but foresight.