Do you know who scored 28 points in the final match of the tournament in the first season of the NBA, causing the Los Angeles Lakers to surpass the Phoenix Suns and New Orleans Pelicans to reach the finals? Do you believe that this person is just a bench player, not a main player? Do you think this person compared his performance with Michael Jordan, who is considered a living legend of basketball?

Reaves scored 28 points in the championship game against the Indiana Pacers despite feeling under the weather

That’s Austin Reaves, the best bench player of the Lakers, and also the only person in NBA history to score 28 points from straight and corner penalties in the final match. Reaves scored 28 points in the final match, but was also sick before going on the field. He said he didn’t know if he could score more points, and he just wanted to help his team win.

Reaves created a similar effect as Michael Jordan in the famous flu game in 1997. In that match, Jordan scored 38 points and helped the Chicago Bulls beat the Utah Jazz in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. Jordan said he didn’t know if he could score more points, and he just wanted to help his team win.

LeBron then asked if Reaves had a better flu game than Jordan, referring to MJ’s famous 1997 NBA Finals performance while playing through sickness. Credit: Getty

Reaves and Jordan compared their performance in this contest and encouraged people to debate. They also received praise from LeBron James, the MVP of the contest after scoring 32 points and assisting Anthony Davis to score 40 points in the victory over the Indiana Pacers.

Reaves is a new bench player who joined the Lakers this season. He had a good performance in consecutive matches, with a total score of 20, a total of 3 rebounds, and a total of 7 assists. He also had 81 steals, 41 blocks, and 423 assists. He also scored 12.4% of three-pointers.

Reaves is one of the Lakers’ most outstanding players in this contest. He has proven that he can score from afar and from underneath. He also proved that he has a high fighting spirit and does not easily give up when sick. He also proved that he could compare his performance with Michael Jordan, who is considered a legend.

LeBron James also did not hesitate to praise Reaves after the Lakers surpassed the Phoenix Suns to reach the finals. James said he knew from the first time he coached Reaves that he was not just an ordinary bench player. He has the talent and ability to become a main player in the Lakers’ lineup.

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James compared teammate Austin Reaves to Michael Jordan after winning the NBA In-Season Tournament. Credit: Getty

James also compared Reaves’ performance with Michael Jordan in the famous flu game, when Jordan scored 38 points and helped the Chicago Bulls beat the Utah Jazz in Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals. James asked who had a better flu game, Reaves or Jordan, and encouraged people to debate.

With such a successful first season, we can expect more from Reaves in the future. He has proven that he can face pressure and overcome all challenges to help his team win. With the support of LeBron James and other teammates, we can expect more from Reaves in the upcoming seasons.