Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

Austin Reaves explains why he shouted 'I'm him' in Game 1 win over Grizzlies

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 4/16/23

Austin Reaves had a heck of a fourth quarter on Sunday, helping lead the Los Angeles Lakers to an upset win over the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series.

Reaves hit a crucial fade-away jumper with 1:30 left to put the Lakers up by eight before shouting, "I'm him" at the top of his lungs. Luckily for viewers at home, Reaves was mic'd up for the moment. And following the Lakers' 128-112 victory, he explained his outburst.

"You know, it's a lot of emotions. You dream about being on a stage like this, the best basketball players in the world," Reaves said. "It's the playoffs. I got hot late and, you know, had fun."

Austin Reaves on his "I'm him" shout in the 4Q ️

He dropped 23 points in the Lakers Game 1 win. pic.twitter.com/YyDlIObjsu
— NBA (@NBA) April 16, 2023

HIM. pic.twitter.com/vBsQWx2clm
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 16, 2023

Reaves scored 23 points in his first career playoff game but shined in the final stanza. The second-year pro dropped 14 points in the fourth quarter, going 5-of-5 from the field.

Reaves' big fourth helped him join an elite group of Lakers. According to ESPN Stats and Info, Reaves is only the third Laker over the last 25 seasons to finish 5-of-5 or better in the fourth quarter of a playoff game, joining Hall of Famers Kobe Bryant (2002) and Shaquille O'Neal (2000).

What a fourth quarter for Austin Reaves. pic.twitter.com/HXskOPQKdi
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 16, 2023

The 24-year-old was one of four starters to finish with double-figures, along with Anthony Davis (22), LeBron James (21) and D'Angelo Russell (19). Meanwhile, Rui Hachimura provided a massive spark off the bench, tallying 29 points.

While the Lakers walked away with the Game 1 victory, the Grizzlies may have lost more than the game, as star Ja Morant exited late in the fourth quarter, suffering a hand injury after a scary fall to the hardwood.

With Morant's status up in the air, the series could be there for the taking for the Lakers, especially if they get the same kind of effort from their supporting cast as they did in Game 1.

More must-reads: