Reaves Protects Ball in Lakers' 116-103 Win
Austin Reaves recorded zero turnovers as the Lakers beat the Kings for their third straight win.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Basketball
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves recorded zero turnovers in a 116-103 win over the Kings in Sacramento on Wednesday. The victory was the Lakers' third straight and moved their record to 7-2.
Why it matters
Reaves has struggled with turnovers this season, averaging a career-high 4.1 per game, so a turnover-free performance stands out. Ball security will be a key factor for the Lakers as they continue their early-season run.
Reaves finished with 21 points, four assists and three rebounds, with zero turnovers after averaging six in the Lakers' previous four games. His 4.1 turnovers per game this season is a career high and is tied for the NBA's third-highest figure.
The players
Austin Reaves
Austin Reaves is a guard for the Los Angeles Lakers who has become a key contributor for the team.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are a professional basketball franchise based in Los Angeles that compete in the NBA.
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball franchise based in Sacramento that compete in the NBA.
The details
The Lakers beat the Kings 116-103 in Sacramento on Wednesday. Reaves' turnover-free game came after a five-turnover outing against the Heat on Monday and was his second zero-turnover game of the season, following the October 27 loss to the Trail Blazers.
Timeline
October 27, 2026: Reaves recorded zero turnovers in a loss to the Trail Blazers.
Monday, November 2, 2026: Reaves recorded five turnovers in a win over the Heat.
Wednesday, November 4, 2026: Reaves recorded zero turnovers in a 116-103 win over the Kings.
Friday, November 6, 2026: The Lakers host the Trail Blazers, a game that will test Reaves' ball security.
Season Trajectory
Reaves' 4.1 turnovers per game is a career high, tied for the NBA's third-highest figure, which made Wednesday's turnover-free performance a notable departure from his season pattern. The Lakers' third straight win and 7-2 start put added weight on whether his improved ball security holds through the coming games.
Fantasy managers rostering Reaves should note that his turnover count can meaningfully reduce his value in turnover-scored leagues. The Lakers' upcoming home game against the Trail Blazers will show whether his ball security improvement is sustainable.
The takeaway
Reaves' zero-turnover performance shows that a player's ball security can change quickly, so tracking turnover trends over several games gives a clearer picture than a single box score. Readers following the Lakers can watch the next few games to see whether the improvement lasts.
What happens next
The Lakers host the Trail Blazers on Friday, November 6, 2026, which will provide the next test of Reaves' ball security.
Further reading
For more on how the team is performing this season, see the Basketball section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by New York Post.
