The Los Angeles Lakers has returned to the top ten positions in the West after a long journey of recovery.
The team is one game away from leaving the TOP 10 zone, but only 1.5 games behind the direct playoff spot.
However, Austin Reaves said that the play-in game is just the beginning for the Lakers, not the end.
“They say we got into the qualifying zone we needed to, but I confirm you that we are not satisfied with just that.” Reaves said.
“We don’t just want to stay where we are. That’s not our goal. Let’s keep trying steps forward and live each match at once. We can go higher. But, at the moment, I can say that we are happy with our performance.” Reaves added.
The Lakers’ momentum is really good. The Californians stand out among so many unstable teams after winning eight of the last 11 matches and, with that, they live a frank rise. The franchise has the most efficient defense in the league.
Reaves feels that the changes brought about by the last trade deadline reinforcements are visible on court, but go far beyond that.
“Our locker room is in a great mood, first of all. I believe we are practicing some really good basketball after all.” Reaves said.
“Even the games we lost in that period, in fact, we had the opportunity to win. The group’s energy and harmony are certainly coming together at the right time.” he added.
Reaves and the Lakers, in the last game, had another very positive signal to dream of going beyond the play-in. The win against the Toronto Raptors, after all, had a return in style of the main reinforcement brought by the team.
D’Angelo Russell meanwhile was sidelined by injury for six games, but returned to the lineup with 28 points and nine assists.
“D’Angelo is a really good basketball player because he just plays right. You won’t see him, for example, making risky or crazy moves in the middle of a match.” Reaves said.
