Certain players throughout the NBA just have an ability to understand the stage and moment and really step their game up in those times. For the Los Angeles Lakers on Christmas Day, the two players who understood that assignment were LeBron James and Austin Reaves.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves shared insights into the mindset that helped him achieve a career-high in assists during games where the team was without its stars, LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Reaves has now had three consecutive games with at least 26 points, 10 assists and six rebounds. On Tuesday versus the Cleveland Cavaliers, he tied his career high in scoring with 35 points and did almost all he could to keep the Lakers in the game before they lost by 12 points.

The Los Angeles Lakers are witnessing a transformation in their backcourt as Austin Reaves steps into a bigger role following D’Angelo Russell’s trade to the Brooklyn Nets. His increased responsibilities as a playmaker and ball-handler haven’t come without growing pains – the first quarter against the Cavaliers saw him commit three turnovers.