Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves' Relationship Described as 'Bromance' by Lakers Insiders

The on-court chemistry between Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves has been obvious since the Los Angeles Lakers acquired the five-time All-Star in February, but their bond has extended beyond basketball in their nine months as teammates.

Per ESPN's Dave McMenamin, members of the Lakers describe the Dončić-Reaves bond as a "bromance" that has been forged through a mutual love of trash talk and teasing.

"They both realized that they both enjoy talking trash—a lot," Lakers head coach JJ Redick told McMenamin. "And their personalities in that regard are very similar. And so they can create a little bit of chemistry with each other just by being their natural selves."

Their playfulness with each other has been on display already this season. Reaves jokingly called Dončić "an idiot" after a game against the Miami Heat on Nov. 2 following Dončić's comment calling him "stupid" for saying Luka could average 40 points per game this season.

Reaves had developed into a solid player through his first three seasons after signing with the Lakers as an undrafted free agent in 2021, but his game has picked up significantly since Dončić entered the fray.

In the 31 games they have played together dating back to last season, Reaves is averaging 21.5 points, 5.4 assists and 4.8 rebounds per contest. He is shooting 47.6 percent from the field overall and 37.7 percent from three.

Reaves seemed to invoke Dončić's style of play when the superstar point guard missed three games last month due to a finger injury. He averaged 40.0 points and 10.0 assists per game during that stretch as the focal point of the Lakers offense.

The duo has played in five games together this season. They have both scored at least 20 points and dished out four assists each in their five starts together. The Lakers are 4-1 and have scored at least 109 points in each of those games.

Los Angeles' bromantic duo has the team off to an 8-3 start and LeBron James has yet to play in a game due to sciatica.

Dončić, Reaves and the Lakers will look to keep their positive early-season momenntum going in a marquee matchup against the reigning NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday at Paycom Center.