Austin Reaves Draws ‘Linsanity’ Comp After Lakers’ Game-Winner
After what he’s done through the first week of the 2025-26 NBA season for the Los Angeles Lakers, it is hard to deny the stardom of Austin Reaves. 
Most recently, Reaves hit a game-winner
After his buzzer-beater, Kenny Smith of Inside the NBA made the bold claim to compare Reaves’ recent run to that of
“You could have a pass and or a shot,” Smith said while breaking down Reaves’ game-winner. “He had both, and said, ‘No, I am the new Jeremy Lin, I am shooting this shot to win.'”
The Inside the NBA crew reacts to Austin Reaves’ game-winner 😂🔥
Smith’s cohosts, Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, and Ernie Johnson, were quick to dismiss the parallel, with Barkley giving the nod to Reaves, saying that he’s been
Yet still, he’s been one of the surprise storylines in the NBA this season, as though he’s shown promise in the past, it is hard to say anyone expected
Austin Reaves Given The ‘Linsanity’ Comparison
GettyJeremy Lin, New York Knicks, Madison Square Garden.
While Smith caught flak for his Reaves-Lin comparison, he wasn’t the only one to make the connection.
“This week is reaching Linsanity levels for Austin Reaves. Let the Reavesvolution continue,” he wrote. “He hits the game winner at the buzzer to lift L.A. to 116-115 victory in MIN. 28 pts and 16 ast on the night.”
This week is reaching Linsanity levels for Austin Reaves. Let the Reavesvolution continue.
He hits the game winner at the buzzer to lift L.A. to 116-115 victory in MIN.
28 pts and 16 ast on the night.
While the ‘Reavesvolution’ isn’t the worst nickname or latest NBA hot streak to replace ‘Linsanity’, the Inside the NBA crew made sure to combat the similarities, regardless of who was making the comparison.
“The Jeremy Lin comp is a little bit of a stretch. How long has this guy been in the league?” Johnson asked. “Jeremy Lin came out of nowhere, (Reaves) has been in the league… That’s not a real comparison.”
Still, Smith held strong with his conviction, calling the Lakers’ star ‘Austin Lin’, while defending his take.
But speaking to the others’ point, while Reaves did drop a career-high 51 points
Regardless, Reaves’ astounding start, as seen with players like Isaiah Thomas, has garnered the exclusive ‘Linsanity’ comparison. So far, he’s on pace to make his first All-Star and All-NBA teams, but as seen with Lin, a pace like this is hard to
Redick And Reaves On His Lakers’ Game-Winner
Capping of the latest installment of the ‘Reavesvolution’ was the rising star’s buzzer-beater over the Anthony Edwards-less Timberwolves. It was the first game-winner of his career, and marked just another moment in his flabbergasting start to the year.
“That guy is going to show up in the big moments,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said after the game. “I’m not surprised. He’s done that many times in his career.”
According to McMenamin, Reaves said he ‘blacked out’ after the shot. Yet still, even with the Lakers outscored by ten in the fourth quarter, they walked away with the one-point win over the team that ended their season in the first round last year.
“Everybody is looking at me, and in those situations, you have to be calm, be confident and lead your guys through [it],” Reaves said after his shot. “We were up [by] 10 [points] or so late, and they went on a run. … It’s hard not to kind of crumble in those situations. But you got to keep energy high, you got to keep the spirit high.”
Reaves himself was still thinking about the postseason series loss to Minnesota. He said after missing a game-tying shot in their arena in April, his floater to close out the game felt good.
“That one felt good,” he added. “But last time we were in this building, I had the shot to tie it in the corner in the playoffs, in Game 4, and missed. Let me tell you, that feeling sucks.”
Linsanity comparison or not, Reaves is single-handedly keeping the Lakers alive to start the year. They’ve had decent showings from Deandre Ayton, Rui Hachimura, and others, but it’s been ‘Austin Lin’ giving Los Angeles hope.
Cubs Urged to Trade for, Pay Orioles All-Star After Kyle Tucker Leaves
The Chicago Cubs could have a busy offseason ahead. Kyle Tucker is hitting the open market, and if the Cubs lose him, they may need to make some moves to replace his production.
Tucker is expected to sign a lucrative contract that could reach north of $400 million in total value. If the Cubs are unwilling to go that high, the team could spend elsewhere. FanSided’s Chris Landers urged the Cubs to acquire and pay Baltimore Orioles All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman.
“The Cubs have the luxury of being just about locked in at every position on the diamond - except, that is, for catcher, where Carson Kelly started off strong before disappearing down the stretch this season,” wrote Landers. “It’s a spot crying out for an upgrade this offseason, and while the free-agent market is thin on impact names (outside a declining JT Realmuto), the trade market features one heck of a buy-low opportunity in Rutschman.”
Tucker had an .841 OPS and 22 home runs in what was considered a down year. The Cubs will have to find a way to replace that production, and the catcher position could use an upgrade. Carson Kelly posted a .761 OPS and had a solid season. However, Rutschman is a two-time All-Star and a Silver Slugger.
He had a down year this year and dealt with injuries. Additionally, the Orioles gave catcher Samuel Basallo a contract extension. After committing to an eight-year, $67 million extension with Basallo, Rutschman’s future may be in doubt. He did not have his best year, but he still has the potential to be an elite player. The Cubs could ink him to an extension while the price tag is low.
