Austin Reaves Thrown to Ground by Rockets Star as Fans Call Out “Dirty” Act After Lakers Star’s Injury Scare

Obviously the fear of him aggravating an injury, needing more rest, or getting hard-fouled was there. Well, it happened. And it’s why the Internet’s ire is on Amen Thompson after a blowout defeat and elimination.

With 5:03 remaining in the fourth quarter and the Lakers holding a comfortable 86-62 lead, the Rockets forward was involved in a sequence that many observers labeled as unnecessarily aggressive. As both players jockeyed for position under the post, Thompson appeared to grab Reaves’ arm and violently yank him to the floor. The force of the pull left Reaves grimacing on the hardwood.

Worst still, he eventually stood up and hobbled back to the bench with an awkward gait, which commentators noted that his “left arm was hanging a bit. ” The injury scare is particularly devastating given the grueling road Reaves traveled to be available for this postseason. Right after the game, he detailed the immense effort he put into his rehabilitation, stating, “There was days I left my house at 7:30 in the morning and didn’t get home until 7:30 or later at night.

” Despite that dedication, Reaves was seen walking awkwardly to the bench while clutching his right thigh, where he immediately began icing the area. To make matters worse, Thompson’s physical play didn’t stop with Reaves. In that same sequence, he collided with Luke Kennard, causing the Lakers guard to lose his balance in a move that critics described as a reckless dive toward the knees.