Los Angeles Lakers star Austin Reaves bounced back in Game 2 of their second-round series against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
After shooting 3-of-16 for eight points in their Game 1 loss, Reaves went off for a playoff-high 31 points on 10-of-16 from the field on Thursday night.
It still wasn’t enough, though. The Lakers lost Game 2, 125-107, to go down 2-0 against the defending champions.
It wasn’t just his strong play that drew attention on Thursday night. Reaves also made headlines after a heated altercation with referee John Goble.
The Lakers star was seen confronting the game official at one point in the fourth quarter. Reaves had to be held back by teammates and the coaching staff as Goble walked away.
Reaves had his reason. A video of an incident in the fourth quarter is currently circulating on social media. In it, Goble is seen turning to Reaves and screaming in his face before a jump-ball.
This is the exact moment that led to Reaves losing his temper. The Lakers guard decided to confront Goble during a dead-ball situation, which led to a heated altercation.
After the game, Reaves explained the reason behind his outburst.
“At the end of the day, we're grown men and I just didn't feel like he needed to yell in my face like that,” Reaves said. “I told him that. I wasn't disrespectful.
“I told him if I did that to him first, I would've gotten a tech. I feel like the only reason I didn't get a tech was because he knew he was in the wrong. I just felt disrespected."
Reaves also had another exchange with the referee postgame as the Lakers star explained his side to the official.
The Lakers now have an uphill battle ahead. The series shifts to L.A. for Games 3 and 4 on Saturday and Monday, respectively.
Simply put, the Lakers must win both games at home to keep their playoff hopes alive.
