"Absolutely not" - Austin Reaves confidently dismisses allegations of being defeated by LeBron James in golf

Austin Reaves, who is widely considered one of the best golfers in the league by his NBA peers, does not believe that LeBron James can defeat him in golf. James has picked up the sport this offseason and shared videos on social media, showcasing his swing.

On Friday, Lakers reporter Aron Cohen caught up with Reaves for a rapid-fire Q&A and asked him for his thoughts on fans saying that James would “smack” him in golf. Reaves answered confidently, saying:

“Absolutely not. It’s not happening.”

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While Reaves was confident about defeating James in golf, he also shared a story that showcases his admiration for his basketball skills. When asked about his “Welcome to the NBA moment,” Reaves shared how his skill gap with James once made him feel like he didn’t belong.

“We were just playing and Bron was being Bron and I was just kinda like, I don’t know if I can play to this standard,” he said. “He hit like four baseline fadeaways and I was just like there’s nothing I can do.”

Austin Reaves is coming off a strong season for the Lakers, averaging 20.2 points, 5.8 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game, all career highs. He has a player option for 2026-27, leaving him with a big decision as he enters what could potentially be the last season of his contract with the Lakers.

Austin Reaves wishes to face Stephen Curry in a golf match

The NBA’s X account shared a video on the platform, featuring multiple NBA stars as they pick the best golf player in the league. Many players, including Pat Connaughton, Zach LaVine and Jalen Brunson, named Reaves and Curry.

Curry picked himself before saying that he had heard good things about Reaves. Meanwhile, the Lakers guard also picked himself and expressed an interest in facing Curry in golf.

“I am (the best golfer in the NBA), I would love to play a match against Steph,” Reaves said.

Unlike LeBron James, Stephen Curry could give Austin Reaves a run for his money. The Warriors guard is known for participating in golf tournaments during the offseason and holds a passion for the game.

First, the players will meet on the court as the Golden State Warriors take on the LA Lakers in their first preseason game on October 5.

About the author

Sameer is an esports and gaming journalist at Sportskeeda who covers a diverse range of topics. He is currently pursuing a BSc degree from BITS, but his love for video games pushed him to pursue a gaming journalism career. He relies on diligent research and fact-checking to deliver top-notch content. He has previously worked in the hospitality sector with the Oberoi Group.

Sameer’s gaming journey began with Rockstar Games’ GTA franchise, specifically
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories. He strongly prefers multiplayer games, with FPS being his favorite genre, and has devoted 6K+ hours to CS:GO! However, he also dabbles in open-world, story-based games from time to time. Solo RPGs like Horizon Forbidden West hold a soft spot in his heart, and he would readily drop in it given a Jumanji-type scenario.

Sameer makes sure to follow Counter-Strike and Valorant esports tournaments, as he believes that watching a game being played at the highest level can be highly educational. He derives inspiration from Tarik's meteoric rise to become one of the biggest FPS streamers in the world following the release of Valorant.

Outside of work, you can find Sameer playing football or cheering for FC Barcelona. He also likes to read and write poetry.

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Edited by Sameer Khan