Ham thrilled as Lakers rally for 'top-3' win of year
Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham was ecstatic after his team completed a 19-point comeback win in double overtime against the Milwaukee Bucks.
"How 'bout them Lakers?" Ham exclaimed during his postgame press conference, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin.
The 50-year-old said this "might be a top-three" win of the season for L.A., per The Athletic's Johan Buva.
Los Angeles was playing without star LeBron James, who has an ankle injury. James also missed the Lakers' win over Milwaukee earlier in March because of an issue with that same ankle.
Ham praised third-year guard Austin Reaves, who sealed the game with a late triple in double overtime.
AUSTIN 😎 REAVES 😎 pic.twitter.com/ZambGjBTs2
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) March 27, 2024
"He's fearless - I love coaching the kid," Ham said, per Mike Trudell of Spectrum Sports.
Reaves recorded his second career triple-double with 29 points (16 of which came during the overtime periods), 14 rebounds, and 10 assists.
All-Star Anthony Davis filled the box score during the Lakers' win, scoring 34 points and grabbing a game-high 23 rebounds. Davis also had a game-saving block on Bucks guard Damian Lillard during the first overtime period.
Anthony Davis with the block to send it to Double OT 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/8diOPCWX67
— uSTADIUM NBA (@uSTADIUMNBA) March 27, 2024
This was L.A.'s fourth win in a row, pushing the team to ninth place in the Western Conference with a 40-32 record.
The Lakers will travel to Memphis to take on the Grizzlies on Wednesday. James is expected to be available for that contest, according to NBA Insider Chris Haynes.