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How Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves became friends and NBA’s best offensive duo

Austin Reaves didn’t know what to think of Luka Dončić when he first met him. After the Mavericks stunningly traded Dončić to the Lakers in February 2025, the Slovenian superstar mostly kept to himself. Reaves acknowledged he didn’t even think…

By Melissa Rohlin · NY Post

Published: Thursday, 29 October 2026 at 6:12 PM

Key Things to Know

Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves developed a close bond to become the NBA's highest-scoring offensive duo.
The Lakers pair averages a league-leading 60.4 combined points per game.
Dončić urged the Lakers to retain Reaves, who signed a four-year, $180 million contract in July.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves have overcome early awkwardness to form a close friendship and become the highest-scoring duo in the NBA. Playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, the pairing currently averages a combined 60.4 points per game, with Dončić leading the league at 36 points per game and Reaves contributing 24.4 points per game.

After Dončić was traded from the Dallas Mavericks in February 2025, the pair initially barely spoke before bonding over shared interests like golf. Dončić later urged Lakers management to retain Reaves, resulting in Reaves signing a four-year, $180 million contract extension in July.

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How Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves became friends and NBA’s best offensive duo

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