Austin Reaves' performance helps Team USA secure semifinals appearance

Austin Reaves of the United States seen in action during the second round of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023. SOPA Images

Austin Reaves' bounce-back performance helps Team USA secure semifinals appearance in FIBA World Cup

By Ethan Temkin | Last updated 9/5/23

In a high-stakes quarterfinal game at the FIBA World Cup, Austin Reaves played a key role in Team USA’s 100-63 drubbing of Italy, bouncing back from a poor outing in his previous game against Lithuania.

Against a tough Lithuanian team, Reaves struggled mightily, contributing only four points, on a subpar 2-of-7 from the field en route to a 110-104 defeat, Team USA's first loss of the tournament. The disappointing outing for Reaves was magnified by Lithuania’s Vaidas Kariniauskas mocking him on the court.

Vaidas Kariniauskas was acting tough against Austin Reaves ‍

( @FIBA) pic.twitter.com/EhAhxcoBvp
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) September 3, 2023

Reaves shared his thoughts on the interaction, saying, “There’s been many times in my career where people looked at me sideways or done stuff so it’s basketball, and at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter,” per Nicole Ganglani of Lakers Nation PH.

In the quarterfinal matchup against Italy, Reaves emerged as a game-changer off the bench for Team USA, scoring 20 points on an efficient 8-of-13 shooting from the field while also chipping in four rebounds and three assists. His biggest play of the game was a thunderous putback dunk in the second quarter that brought the entire USA bench to their feet.

AUSTIN REAVES PUT-BACK JAM pic.twitter.com/MdxQNsJ124
— ESPN (@espn) September 5, 2023

When speaking with reporters after the game, Reaves simply stated, "At the end of the day, you never lose confidence in what you do as a basketball player, and anybody that tries to make me lose confidence, good luck to ’em.”

Throughout the tournament, Reaves has showcased his offensive prowess, averaging 11 points per game on an efficient 55.2 percent from the field — third most on the team — while also dishing out three assists per game as the secondary ball-handler off the bench behind Tyrese Haliburton.

Coach Steve Kerr remarked on this back-court combination, “They understand when to put it on the floor and attack but they both have the ability to find cutters. It feels like the game always loosens up offensively when we bring those guys in,” per Khobi Price of the Orange County Register.

However, the biggest reason he’s found so much playing time in Kerr’s rotation is his defensive impact. With 1.5 steals per game, Reaves consistently disrupts the opponent’s passing lanes, allowing Team USA to create turnovers and convert them into fast-break opportunities on the other end. Reaves also displays his willingness to crash the glass and secure crucial rebounds, limiting opponents' second-chance opportunities.

Reaves will look to build on his performance this Friday when Team USA is set to face the winner of the Germany-Latvia matchup.

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