November 8, 2026 | Ethical Sports Takes
Austin Reaves delivered another huge performance Sunday evening, scoring 43 points to lead the Los Angeles Lakers past the Detroit Pistons 121–116 at Little Caesars Arena.
Playing without Luka Dončić, who was sidelined by lower back tightness, the Lakers needed Reaves to carry the offense. He answered with 43 points on 14-of-27 shooting, including four three-pointers, while making all 11 of his free throws.
What initially looked like an easy Lakers victory turned into a battle. Los Angeles built a 26-point lead and dominated the opening quarter, but Detroit fought back behind Daniss Jenkins and Kevin Huerter. The Pistons kept cutting into the deficit until the Lakers found themselves protecting a narrow lead in the closing minutes.
The victory improves Los Angeles to 9–2, while Detroit falls to 6–3.
First Quarter: Lakers Overwhelm Detroit Early
Los Angeles wasted little time taking control.
Reaves opened the scoring with a driving layup, and the Lakers quickly established their rhythm. Quentin Grimes knocked down a step-back three before adding another three-pointer shortly afterward, helping Los Angeles move ahead 14–4.
Reaves then went to work in the midrange, connecting on a pull-up jumper and a fadeaway as the Lakers continued stretching the lead. Sandro Mamukelashvili joined the scoring with a three-pointer off a Reaves assist, making it 23–9.
Detroit struggled to find an answer. The Lakers were getting quality looks, moving the ball effectively and keeping the Pistons from establishing any offensive consistency.
Ziaire Williams provided another boost off the bench, knocking down a three-pointer and finishing a dunk set up by Jarred Vanderbilt. Grimes added a late layup, and Williams drilled another three with 11 seconds remaining.
By the end of the quarter, Los Angeles had built a commanding 38–14 lead.
The Lakers had scored nearly three times as many points as Detroit, and the game appeared headed toward a blowout.
Second Quarter: Jenkins and Huerter Bring Detroit Back
The Pistons refused to let the game get away.
Daniss Jenkins began making his presence felt, knocking down a three-pointer early in the second quarter. Kevin Huerter followed with consecutive three-pointers, giving Detroit a much-needed offensive spark.
Jenkins continued creating opportunities, including an assist on a John Collins layup, while Ron Holland II connected from beyond the arc as Detroit worked its way back into the contest.
The Lakers still had answers. Reaves hit a 25-foot three-pointer off a Matisse Thybulle assist late in the half, and Los Angeles maintained a double-digit advantage.
But the difference from the opening quarter was clear. Detroit had finally found its shooting touch and was beginning to make the Lakers work for every possession.
The Pistons won the second quarter 34–23, trimming a 24-point deficit to 13.
Halftime: Lakers 61, Pistons 48.
Third Quarter: Detroit Keeps Applying Pressure
Detroit carried its improved play into the second half.
The Pistons continued attacking through their guards, with Jenkins and Huerter providing much of the offense. Cade Cunningham helped facilitate the attack even as his own shooting remained a struggle.
Reaves continued to be the Lakers’ most reliable scoring option. With Dončić unavailable, Los Angeles needed someone who could create shots when Detroit tightened its defense, and Reaves repeatedly took on that responsibility.
Walker Kessler also made an impact around the basket, giving the Lakers a physical presence against Detroit’s frontcourt.
The Pistons won the quarter 33–27, cutting another six points from the deficit.
After trailing by 24 at the end of the first quarter, Detroit was suddenly within seven entering the fourth.
End of third quarter: Lakers 88, Pistons 81.
Fourth Quarter: Reaves Helps Lakers Survive Detroit’s Comeback
The final quarter was nothing like the first.
Detroit kept attacking, and the Lakers could no longer rely on the enormous cushion they had built early in the game. Jenkins and Huerter continued giving the Pistons the outside shooting they needed to stay close.
Jenkins finished with 31 points and eight made three-pointers, while Huerter contributed 24 points and four threes. Together, they scored 55 points and connected on 12 of Detroit’s 19 three-pointers.
The Pistons actually outscored Los Angeles 35–33 in the fourth quarter, but the Lakers managed to protect their lead.
Reaves was central to that effort. His ability to score from the field and convert at the free-throw line gave Los Angeles the offensive production it needed as Detroit threatened to complete the comeback.
The Lakers ultimately escaped with a 121–116 victory, turning what had been a comfortable early lead into a hard-earned road win.
Reaves Delivers Without Dončić
Reaves’ 43-point performance was the biggest reason Los Angeles survived.
He finished with 43 points, five rebounds and four assists, shooting 14-of-27 from the field, 4-of-6 from three-point range and a perfect 11-of-11 at the free-throw line.
Collin Sexton and Ziaire Williams each contributed 17 points off the bench. Kessler added 12 points, 16 rebounds and four assists, helping Los Angeles finish with 58 points in the paint.
The Lakers shot 50% from the field and made 26 of their 33 free throws. Those numbers proved especially important against a Detroit team that hit eight more three-pointers.
Detroit’s Bench Nearly Steals the Show
For the Pistons, this was a frustrating loss but an impressive comeback.
Jenkins led Detroit with 31 points, while Huerter added 24 points, five rebounds and five assists. The two reserves provided the scoring punch that turned a potential blowout into a competitive game.
Detroit hit 19 of its 48 three-point attempts and recorded 27 assists, compared with 18 for Los Angeles.
However, Cunningham struggled offensively, finishing with 14 points on 6-of-15 shooting and just one three-pointer in six attempts. He did contribute eight assists, but Detroit needed more scoring from its leading guard.
The Pistons also played without Jalen Duren, who was sidelined by a hamstring injury.
Final Thoughts
The Lakers deserve credit for finding a way to win without Dončić, but they will not be thrilled about nearly surrendering a 26-point lead.
Los Angeles controlled the opening quarter, yet Detroit won each of the remaining three periods. That is a concerning trend in a game the Lakers appeared to have wrapped up early.
Still, the biggest story is Reaves.
With 43 points and another victory, he showed once again that he can carry the Lakers’ offense when called upon.
Los Angeles improves to 9–2, and Reaves has given the team another reason to feel confident about its depth.
For Detroit, the loss drops the Pistons to 6–3, but their fight after an awful opening quarter deserves recognition. Jenkins and Huerter nearly turned a disastrous start into one of the season’s most impressive comebacks.
Final Score: Los Angeles Lakers 121, Detroit Pistons 116.
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