You know, the whole “140 foot buckets” moment between Austin Reaves and Luka Dončić is such a perfect microcosm of their dynamic — equal parts playful competition, ego fuel, and simply being absurdly talented. It all went down during the Lakers’ game against the Hornets. Neither shot counted, of course — they were just dead-ball heaves — but that didn’t stop those on the court (and everyone watching) from treating it like a full-on flex-off.
Both guys casually chuck up these ridiculous, beyond-half-court shots, and on that night, each nailed one. But Luka wasn’t going to let it go without a little verbal sparring: “Mine was further,” he declared after the game, pointing out exactly where he made his shot compared to where Reaves made his. (PFSN) Reaves, for his part, wasn’t mad — just amused. He laughed about how Luka had complained earlier that if Reaves had thrown it to him, he’d’ve “maybe given me an assist.” That’s the kind of self-awareness (and respect) that underlies their banter.
What makes this even more fun is knowing that this isn’t just a one-off. Luka has a reputation for these wild, long-distance attempts — both in practice and in games. Reaves has publicly called him out before, warning him after a ridiculous one-legged, falling-out-of-bounds practice shot, something like 35 feet out. That was a moment Reaves described as “a blessing … but every now and then it’s a curse to think that you can make every shot.”
Luka’s response to that advice was very Luka: he acknowledges he’s doing too many “crazy shots,” but to him, that’s part of the groove. He said he’s working to find a balance “between getting a better shot or just some crazy shot.”o him, there’s art in the absurd — why settle for a normal three when he can give you a three-quarters court heave that barely clears half?
The real beauty of this, though, is how it demonstrates their chemistry. This isn’t just two teammates showing off. There’s mutual respect. Reaves calling out Luka, Luka defending his distance — it’s playful, but it’s real, and it’s part of what makes their relationship so compelling to watch. They’re not just hanging out; they’re pushing each other.
And it’s not like Luka’s just taking aimless shots either. He’s notorious for his audacity, but when it works — when he lands something absurd — it’s signature Luka. A teammate said in practice he shot something like a one-legged, off-balance shot from 35 feet and almost made it. (The Big Lead) That kind of confidence doesn’t just come from cockiness — it comes from a deep, almost unshakeable belief in your own range.
But Reaves isn’t just a bystander. He’s not just the guy listening to Luka go crazy in practice; he’s right there in the spotlight too, giving back. He’s not intimidated. In fact, he relishes it. After that game, he joked about grabbing a shot at the end of the third quarter, and how Luka would’ve passed to him — if he’d just asked. (PFSN) That back-and-forth banter is real‑time chemistry: two players who trust each other’s ability so much that even their wildest mistakes or bravest heaves are part of the fun.
And, objectively, Luka’s probably right when he says his shot was further. Based on the way he described it, he pointed out where he made it, and compared it to where Reaves made his — that suggests he was confident in his assertion. (PFSN) But what’s wild is that this is happening in a real NBA game. It’s not just pick-up. These are two pro-level guys, and they casually mash up half-court (or more) as if they’re just messing around. And then, after they do it, they talk about whose was longer. It’s the kind of moment you don’t script.
The broader point here is: moments like this make sports — and basketball in particular — so captivating. It’s not just about scoring, or winning, or clutch plays. There’s artistry, ego, playfulness. Reaves and Luka giving each other that light grief after nailing impossible shots? It humanizes them while also making them feel superhuman. It’s not showboating so much as a shared recognition of how wild their skills are.
Beyond that, there’s something instructive about what Luka said about balancing shot selection. Obviously, not every shot can be a heat check, and you can’t always go for the ridiculous. But there’s value in knowing that sometimes, you let yourself take the shot no one expects — because sometimes, it goes in. And when it does, you get to have a moment like this: a playful duel, a claim to being the deeper shooter, a memory that fans talk about long after the game is over.
Finally, consider how this plays into team dynamics. Two guys who clearly get along, but also compete. They’re not stepping on each other’s toes, but rather pushing each other upward. That’s the kind of relationship that makes teams stronger: players who can challenge one another, make each other laugh, and still treat the game as both serious business and a playground for fun.
In the end, whether Luka’s shot was actually further doesn’t even matter that much. What matters is that he said it. What matters is that Reaves threw down his own. What matters is that both of them were confident enough to try it in-game, and cool enough to talk about it after. That’s the kind of stuff that turns a simple heave into something memorable — a micro-battle in a bigger war, a playful brag, a reminder that even in a pro sport, they’re still just having fun, pushing limits, and showing off exactly how talented they are.
