Austin Reaves scores 43 as Lakers beat Pistons 121-116 without Luka Doncic

Austin Reaves scored a season-best 43 points to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 121-116 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night, according to yardbarker.com and CBS News Los Angeles. The Lakers played without star Luka Doncic, who was sidelined due to lower back tightness. Reaves was highly efficient, shooting 14-of-27 from the field and making all 11 free throws.

The Lakers built a strong early lead, outscoring Detroit 40-14 early in the second quarter and leading 61-48 at halftime, yardbarker.com reported. Walker Kessler contributed 12 points and 16 rebounds, while reserves Ziaire Williams and Collin Sexton each added 17 points. The Lakers improved their record to 9-2 with the win.

Detroit rallied in the second half, with Daniss Jenkins scoring a career-high 31 points and Kevin Huerter adding 24 points off the bench, CBS News Los Angeles said. The Pistons cut the deficit to as little as one point three times in the fourth quarter, but the Lakers held on. Cade Cunningham and Duncan Robinson struggled early, failing to make a field goal in the first half.

The Pistons shot 19-of-48 from three-point range overall, but turnovers and a hot start by the Lakers proved decisive. Reaves hit a key three-pointer late in the game and clinched the win from the free-throw line. The Lakers snapped a four-game losing streak to Detroit and extended their winning streak to five games.