Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves kneed Los Angeles Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr. in the groin - and got away with it - during Friday night's crosstown rivalry game at the crypto.com Arena.
It happened with about 1:20 left in the third quarter with the Lakers holding a 68-63 lead. With the Lakers on offense, Reaves had the ball in the corner of the court. As Jones was guarding him, Reaves slowly lifted his knee into the midsection of Jones, incapacitating him and opening up a path to the basket.
Reaves dribbled around Jones as he dropped to the floor. Clips guard Bennedict Mathurin rotated over to defend, but Reaves stopped him in his tracks with a fake behind-the-back pass. As Mathurin turned his head to look for the ball, Reaves finished his drive with an easy layup for the basket.
The Clippers letting Austin Reaves do them like this on Black History Month ðŸ˜ðŸ˜©
— Hater Report (@HaterReport) February 21, 2026
pic.twitter.com/I3e5iKzJkO
The officials clearly missed the knee to the crotch by Reaves. It certainly isn't the first time a player got away with a low blow.
Reaves finished the game with 29 points, second on the Lakers in team scoring behind Luka Doncic, as the Lakers beat the Clippers 125-122. Jones finished the game with 13 points and 8 rebounds.
Moonlighting as a blogger to pursue my interest and enjoyment of sports. Former high school and Division I athlete (now a "retired" family man) that loves watching and discussing all sports. Follow me on Twitter (@HoldoutSports).
