The Los Angeles Lakers earned a 126-116 preseason win over the Golden State Warriors, but it wasn’t a game-winning shot or highlight dunk that had fans buzzing afterward.
Instead, it was Austin Reaves and his sense of humor that stole the night. The 25-year-old guard became a viral sensation after cameras caught him playfully imitating one of LeBron James’ most famous meme moments from the 2020 NBA Bubble.
In the clip, Reaves perfectly recreated LeBron’s wide-eyed, animated reaction from a disputed call during the 2020 playoffs, a moment that quickly became one of the internet’s favorite NBA memes.
From the exaggerated facial expression to the hand gestures, Reaves nailed every detail, sparking laughter across social media as fans flooded timelines with side-by-side comparisons.
It didn’t take long for the video to spread across the Lakers’ online fanbase, where supporters and even some teammates joined in on the fun.
Humor meets chemistry in the Lakers locker room
As the Lakers work to fine-tune their rotation and conditioning ahead of the regular season, small moments like this reveal how much chemistry exists behind the scenes.
Since joining Los Angeles as an undrafted rookie, Reaves has carved out a role defined by grit, composure, and personality. He’s become known for his steady play and confidence under pressure, but also for his ability to keep the atmosphere light.
His latest viral moment reinforced what coaches and teammates have said about him for two seasons: Reaves fits seamlessly alongside veterans like LeBron James and Anthony Davis because he combines competitiveness with humor and humility.
The recreation of the meme also highlighted how comfortable Reaves has become in his role. Rather than shying away from attention, he’s embraced his position as both a key contributor and a bridge between the Lakers’ established stars and their younger players.
His chemistry with LeBron, in particular, has grown through shared moments of both intensity and fun.
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