Los Angeles Lakers star Austin Reaves had to step up against the Detroit Pistons with Luka Dončić sidelined for the game on Sunday evening.
Reaves was tasked with filling in for Dončić both as the centerpiece of the offense and as the engine that kept energy flowing for the team.
Near the end of the first half, while the Lakers maintained a 15-point lead over the Pistons in Detroit, the 28-year-old guard confronted a courtside fan and had an intense face-to-face dispute. It is unclear what led to the interaction, or what words were exchanged between the two parties.
Austin Reaves and Detroit Pistons fan having some words 👀 pic.twitter.com/bJHDqCYDlt
— LakeShow Highlights (@LSH_lakeshow) November 9, 2026
Reaves finished the contest with 43 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists while shooting 4-of-6 from
beyond the arc.
The Lakers outscored the Pistons by 21 points when Reaves was on the court, which means he had a team-high plus-minus in the matchup.
Austin Reaves waving bye to the same fan from earlier 😂😭💀
— Lake Show (@LakeShowFamily) November 9, 2026
pic.twitter.com/5lUMiQk1Oa
Later in the game, when Reaves hit a clutch 3-pointer, he celebrated the shot by waving goodbye to the fan.
He then pointed directly at the fan while sporting a big grind on his face, knowing he just secured a fifth-consecutive win for the red-hot Lakers.
During his media availability, when asked about the exchange, he said he didn't know what California Post reporter Khobi Price was talking about.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Austin Reaves coldly waved goodbye to fan after mid-game confrontation
