Los Angeles Lakers wing Austin Reaves got sweet revenge on his former teammate, Patrick Beverley, on Wednesday evening.
Beverley was traded by the Lakers before the deadline and during his first game back against the team, he gestured that LeBron James (of all people!) was too small to guard him. For the second time in two seasons, Beverley also gestured that the Lakers stink.
Beverley said that he requested a trade from the Lakers and that the vibes were “off” with the team. But he is going to have to tip his hat to Reaves for this possession.
Reaves didn’t take this lightly, however, and he made sure Beverley got a taste of his own medicine late in the game during the Los Angeles victory over Chicago.
Austin Reaves hit Pat Bev with the "TOO SMALL" 😭 pic.twitter.com/KB6dSDQeuq
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) March 30, 2023
After scoring in the fourth quarter, Reaves gestured at Beverley that the Bulls guard was too small to guard him. It was glorious.
An eye for an eye only makes the whole world blind. But a “too small” for a “too small” feels perfectly reasonable in the game of basketball.
Afterward, Reaves was seen doing an elaborate “too small” themed handshake with teammate D’Angelo Russell:
Yo!!! 🤭 pic.twitter.com/hznClZ6aT9
— k (@11_blocks) March 30, 2023
Here is what Reaves said about the interaction after the game (via Mike Trudell):
“He did it last time we played on LeBron. It wasn’t something I thought about all game but I felt like right time, right situation. Like you said, me and Pat have a good relationship, I respect him, it’s just me competing.”
LeBron said he was grateful for Reaves because he “always has his back” during these types of situations.
Reaves finished with 19 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal during the 121-110 victory over the Bulls.
The formerly undrafted rookie appeared in a suddenly healthy starting lineup alongside LeBron, Russell, Anthony Davis, and Jarred Vanderbilt.
