Austin Reaves sends message to former teammate Anthony Davis after Lakers win

Austin Reaves sends message to former teammate Anthony Davis after Lakers win originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

On Friday, Dallas Mavericks star forward Anthony Davis played in a game against the Los Angeles Lakers for the first time since L.A. traded him to Dallas prior to the deadline last season.

Davis didn’t get the sweet revenge he was probably seeking, as the Lakers pulled out a 129-119 in the win.

After the game, Davis swapped jerseys with Lakers guard, and his former teammate, Austin Reaves, who shared a message regarding Davis during postgame media availability. Reaves had high praise for Davis and credited the former No. 1 overall pick for helping him develop during Davis’ time in L.A.

"He's one of the best players to ever touch a basketball," Reaves said of Davis. "I don't know why he wanted my jersey, but for me to get his, it's pretty fun. ... I got a lot of love for AD. He's a big reason that [I am] where I'm at right now. From day one, he was telling me to be myself, don't be anybody else. Continue to work and, really, just be myself on the court. So I owe him a lot."

Reaves and Davis were teammates for three-and-a-half seasons before the latter was shipped to Dallas, and Davis clearly had a major impact on Reaves’ development and confidence. Reaves has developed into one of the better guards in the Western Conference, and he’ll have a real opportunity to make his All-Star team this season.

Reaves’ blossoming skills were on full display against Davis and Dallas on Friday night. He played 41 minutes in the contest and tallied 38 points, 8 rebounds and three assists while missing just three total shots from the field. It was an impressive performance that helped the Lakers secure their sixth straight victory.

Meanwhile, Davis had 12 points, five rebounds and five assists in his return to action against L.A. in his first game back after an extended stint on the sideline due to a calf injury. The loss was the third straight for the Mavericks, who have won just five out of their first 20 games this season.