The Los Angeles Lakers are once again showing that, even in a play-in position, they’re still a team to worry about in the loaded Western Conference. Their latest game, a huge comeback victory in a game where the Milwaukee Bucks led by 19 points twice, had all the hallmarks of a team that is starting to gear itself for a potentially long postseason run.

The Lakers were without the services of LeBron James, but that didn’t stop them from getting the victory. They’re currently 6-4 this season without their leading man, and the last two of those games were both extremely tight wins against the Bucks.

Austin Reaves was not fucking around and had his second career-triple double with 29 points, 14 rebounds, 10 assists and two blocks while shooting 10 of 20 overall. Reaves also had nitrogen in his veins during the game’s most important moments.

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Anthony Davis was a monster in the block as well, finishing with 34 points, 23 rebounds, two steals and four blocks. Though he only shot 12 of 31 from the field, his defense set the tone for the Lakers’ improbably comeback.

Oh, and just to give credit where it’s due, D’Angelo Russell also had a good contribution. Like Davis, Russell shot badly at a 7 of 22 clip, but also made all 10 of his free throws and 5 of 12 three-pointers to finish the game with 29 points, 12 assists, two steals and a block.

Last, but not least, Rui Hachimura also had a solid contribution with 16 points and 14 rebounds along with 7 of 14 shooting.

The Lakers are also riding a four-game win streak now and are putting some distance between themselves and the tenth-place Golden State Warriors. Depending on how the final few games of the season round out, they may even climb to the eighth or seventh seed, allowing them two chances to make it to the postseason.

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