Lakers vs Nets: Austin Reaves returns as Los Angeles rolls 125–109

The Lakers cruised past the Brooklyn Nets 125–109 on Tuesday night, February 3, 2026 (7:30 p.m. ET), turning the matchup into a blowout by halftime and using the night to reintroduce Austin Reaves after a long calf-related absence. Los Angeles led 69–40 at the break after a blistering opening quarter, then managed the game comfortably the rest of the way.

For a team that’s been juggling availability and minutes limits for much of the season, the headline was both the win and the rotation: Reaves played 21 minutes, scored efficiently from the line, and finished strong enough to see a second-half starting stint as the Lakers leaned into a more playoff-shaped lineup.

How the game swung early

The Lakers set the tone immediately, shooting 83.3% in the first quarter and racing to a 45–23 lead. That early burst turned the game into a math problem for Brooklyn: chase the score while also trying to protect the ball and find perimeter rhythm.

Brooklyn stabilized after halftime and won the fourth quarter, but the deficit was too steep. Los Angeles kept generating looks inside and controlled the pace once the outcome was no longer in doubt.

Austin Reaves’ line and role

Reaves’ return mattered less for raw totals than for how he fit back into the offense. Under a minutes restriction, he finished with 15 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 steals in 21 minutes, and he did most of his scoring at the stripe (8-for-10 free throws). He shot 3-for-9 from the field and 1-for-5 from three, which looked like a player easing back in—but his timing and activity were noticeable.

The Lakers also experimented with his placement: Reaves came off the bench but opened the second half in a starting spot, hinting at the direction the coaching staff may prefer once everyone is fully ramped up.

Top player stats: Lakers vs Brooklyn Nets

What worked for the Lakers

Los Angeles didn’t need a hot three-point night to dominate. The Lakers scored 66 points in the paint and consistently got downhill, forcing Brooklyn into rotation and fouls. Even with a poor long-range line (7-for-31 from three), they stayed efficient by living at the rim and keeping possessions clean.

The other separator was control: once the lead ballooned, Los Angeles played a simpler game—attack mismatches, get to the line, and avoid the kind of careless stretches that fuel comebacks.

What went wrong for the Nets

Brooklyn’s biggest issue was ball security. The Nets committed 20 turnovers, and many turned into immediate pressure points—transition chances, cross-matches, and quick fouls that prevented any sustained run.

The Nets also struggled to generate reliable spacing. When perimeter looks don’t fall—highlighted by Porter going 0-for-9 from deep—it becomes harder to open lanes or punish help defense. Sharpe’s interior production helped, but the game state forced Brooklyn into higher-variance shots too early.

What the result means next

The win closed the Lakers’ road swing on a high note and, more importantly, put a key connector back into the lineup. Reaves doesn’t just add scoring—he helps the Lakers keep structure when stars sit, and he smooths the handoffs between primary creators and finishers.

For Brooklyn, the immediate priority is tightening possessions. If turnover numbers stay elevated, even solid individual nights won’t translate into close games against teams that can convert mistakes into points.

Sources consulted: NBA; ESPN; Reuters; Associated Press