As the ball soared through the air like a balloon swept up in a sudden gust, everyone in the American Airlines Center stood and held their breath. Well, all except for one person — the young man who let it fly. And due to a collision from a runaway train in the form of Tim Hardaway Jr., Austin Reaves was on his back and had both feet flung up as he watched his game-winning 3-pointer swish gently through the nylon.
The shot would not only be Reaves’ biggest of his early career, but also served as the Lakers’ most euphoric moment so far this season.