Everyone has jokes after Austin Reaves’ poor Game 1 showing vs. Thunder

Austin Reaves has been in start-and-stop mode throughout the season, as injuries plagued what was a career year for the undrafted guard out of Wichita State and Oklahoma. His most recent setback saw him miss nearly a month with an oblique strain before returning for Game 5 of the Los Angeles Lakers’ first-round playoffs matchup against the Houston Rockets. Perhaps he deserves some grace?

Fans are not feeling sympathetic following Tuesday’s 108-90 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals. If a core player suits up, he is expected to produce. Plain and simple. Reaves floundered in the Paycom Center.

The 27-year-old scored only eight points on dreadful 3-of-16 shooting to go along with six assists, five rebounds, one block and four turnovers. The feeble offensive showing elicited relentless condemnation on social media. Fair or not, an athlete is often defined by how they perform in high-pressure situations.

Reaves averaged 23.3 points while shooting 49 percent from the field and 36 percent from 3-point range in 51 regular season contests, but the public is currently focused on his brutal Game 1 in OKC. The jokes are pouring out on X. Some fans called him a playoff fraud, while others argued that he must be invisible. The ridicule will persist unless Reaves erupts during the remainder of the series.

Austin Reaves and Luke Kennard vs the Thunder pic.twitter.com/teZy337BJd

— Hater Report (@HaterReport) May 6, 2026

Since Luka Doncic is still sidelined with a hamstring injury, an issue that is also drawing ire from some people, the Lakers need the Arkansas native to complement LeBron James with stout production. LA can only survive the beast that is OKC if it receives ample firepower from the backcourt.

Austin Reaves has endured plenty of physical pain in the 2025-26 campaign, but he must figure out how to recapture his regular season form. The fact that he is being ruthlessly mocked in the aftermath of this Lakers loss speaks to his importance.

Fans demand more from No. 15. Will they get it on Thursday night?

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