Austin Reaves was glad to earn a small measure of revenge for the Los Angeles Lakers' painful NBA Playoffs exit against the Minnesota Timberwolves, as his buzzer-beater sealed a 116-115 success in Wednesday's rematch.

The Lakers' 2024-25 campaign was halted in the first round of the playoffs as they lost to Minnesota in five games.

In Game 4 of that series at Target Center, Reaves missed a potential game-tying 3-pointer at the death, but he made no such mistake in the Lakers' fifth game of 2025-26.

In the absence of injured duo Luka Doncic and LeBron James, Reaves led Los Angeles with 28 points and 16 assists, and he split a double team from Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert then got above Donte DiVincenzo for the winning score.

"That one felt good," Reaves said of his 12-foot jumper. "I mean, for obvious reasons, we won. 

"But last time we were in this building, I had the shot to tie it in the corner in the playoffs, in Game 4, and missed. Let me tell you, that feeling sucks."

Man of the game...AGAIN!@SixtUSA x #LakersWin pic.twitter.com/4m8xi8ZFO3

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 30, 2025

Reaves, who put up 51 points against the Sacramento Kings and 41 versus the Portland Trail Blazers in his previous two games, was mobbed by his team-mates after making the shot.

Head coach JJ Redick was always confident Reaves would make the difference, saying: "That guy is going to show up in the big moments. I'm not surprised. He's done that many times in his career."

The Lakers are now 3-2 for the season ahead of Friday's road game against the Memphis Grizzlies, with Redick delighted with the way they have navigated injuries to key players.

"I'm so proud of this group right now, honestly," Redick said.

"From where we were three weeks ago, where we're discombobulated and guys are missing training camp and guys are modified participants, we're starting to come together. 

"And I've asked a lot. I've asked a lot of these guys and I'm asking a lot of them while we're undermanned, and they're delivering."

Minnesota, meanwhile, are 2-3 and return to action against the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday.