(Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)
The Lithuanian team was really focused on Austin Reaves of the Los Angeles Lakers over the weekend.
During their shocking win over Team USA, Lithuania made sure to limit Reaves as much as possible.
After one play, Lithuania’s Vaidas Kariniauskas taunted Reaves by sticking his tongue out after scoring.
Speaking to Nicole Ganglani, Reaves said he didn’t take it personally.
“There’s been many times in my career where people looked at me sideways or done stuff so it’s basketball and at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter,” Reaves said.
How does Austin Reaves feel about this the morning after? Here’s what he told me moments before practice:
“There’s been many times in my career where people looked at me sideways or done stuff so it’s basketball and at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter.” https://t.co/k0bAyegwH5 pic.twitter.com/QcTJu9sve8
— Nicole Ganglani (@nicoleganglani) September 4, 2023
Reaves brushed off the outburst from Kariniauskas because the player was having a good game and deserved to react that way.
For his part, Kariniauskas said that the whole thing was “nothing personal” and “just love for the game.”
During Lithuania’s win over America, Kariniauskas produced 15 points in just 17 minutes off the bench.
Team Lithuania is now undefeated after five games heading into the quarterfinal round.
As for Reaves, he had his worst game of the World Cup so far.
He scored just seven points on 1-of-4 shooting from the field with less than 13 minutes on the court.
Reaves ultimately fouled out with a bit more than two minutes left in the game.
This was very unlike Reaves, who has been one of the most important parts of Team USA so far.
Over the last couple of seasons, Reaves has become a very animated and enthusiastic athlete.
His on-court antics after big plays have gained a lot of attention.
Did that influence Kariniauskas’ choice to playfully mock Reaves?
Luckily for Reaves and Team USA, the tournament will continue and they have a chance at redemption in the days ahead.
The post Austin Reaves Opens Up On Lithuanian Player Taunting Him appeared first on The Cold Wire.