DWTS Pro Rylee Arnold Opens Up About Type 1 Diabetes on TikTok
DWTS pro Rylee Arnold reveals her Type 1 Diabetes journey on TikTok, explaining her Dexcom CGM placement and boosting awareness while competing with Scott Hoying.
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When Austin Reaves launched a step-back three over Jayden McDaniels with 1.8 seconds left, the Los Angeles Lakers didn’t just beat the Minnesota Timberwolves — they survived it. The 121-119 win at Crypto.com Arena on October 29, 2025, was less a statement and more a miracle. With six players sidelined — including LeBron James — and only eight men on the active roster, the Lakers played like a team with nothing to lose. And Reaves? He played like a man who knew he was the only one who could carry them.
Reaves didn’t just score 51 points — he orchestrated the entire offense. With LeBron James still in the return-to-play protocol and Marcus Smart out with a right quad contusion, the Lakers had no veteran ballhandler left. So Reaves, a second-year guard who entered the season as a rotation piece, became their engine. He had 18 points and nine assists in the first half alone, slicing through Minnesota’s defense like a knife. By the fourth quarter, he was taking contested mid-range jumpers with no one else to turn to. And when the clock hit 00:01.8, he didn’t hesitate. The shot swished. The arena erupted. The bench stood silent — not from shock, but from exhaustion.
The Lakers’ injury report reads like a disaster movie. Marcus Smart, the offseason signing brought in to add toughness and defense, missed his second straight game with the quad issue. Gabe Vincent is out 2–4 weeks with a left ankle ligament tear — a brutal blow for a team already thin at guard. LeBron James remains sidelined, with coach JJ Redick offering no timeline beyond “second or third week of November.”
Then there are the three unnamed players — the ones the Los Angeles Lakers confirmed are out but didn’t name. That’s unusual. It suggests either a lingering undisclosed injury or a roster crunch forcing them to protect privacy. Either way, it’s a red flag. Only eight players suited up. The last time the Lakers had this few healthy bodies? 2019, when they lost 14 straight with injuries to Anthony Davis and LeBron James simultaneously.
But the Minnesota Timberwolves weren’t exactly at full strength either. Their All-Star guard, Anthony Edwards, sat out with a right hamstring strain — a frustrating setback after his explosive start to the season. Without him, Minnesota’s offense stalled in transition. They leaned on D’Angelo Russell and Jaden McDaniels, but neither could match Reaves’ firepower. The Wolves’ depth, once their strength, was tested. They lost by two. They could’ve won. But they were also down a key piece.
There’s one bright spot: rookie Adou Thiero. After months of rehab from left knee surgery, he’s been cleared for live contact. He’s now splitting time between practices with the Los Angeles Lakers and games with the South Bay Lakers, their G League affiliate. His next milestone? Five-on-five scrimmages. If he progresses, he could be back by mid-November — just as LeBron James might return. That’s the kind of timing that could turn a season around.
They’re not supposed to win like this. Not with a 39-year-old legend on the shelf, a defensive anchor out, and a rookie still finding his legs. But they did. And that’s the story. The Lakers’ record now sits at 5-4, a .556 winning percentage — not great, but survivable. The real question isn’t whether they can win games like this. It’s whether they can survive the next three weeks without James. If Reaves keeps playing like this, maybe. But he’s not built for 35 minutes a night, every night. His usage rate spiked to 37% in this game — the highest of his career. That’s unsustainable.
Coach JJ Redick knows it. He said after the game: “We’re not playing with a full deck. But we’re playing with heart.” And that’s the only thing keeping them afloat right now.
The Lakers’ next game is on November 1, 2025, against the Phoenix Suns. No updates on James’ return yet. But if he’s back by November 10, as hinted, the Lakers could surge. If not, they’ll need Reaves to keep doing the impossible — and hope Thiero, Hayes, and a few others can fill the gaps. The Western Conference is brutal. One more injury, one more loss, and this season could unravel.
With six players out and LeBron James still sidelined, the Lakers’ playoff path is precarious. Even with a 5-4 start, their net rating drops 12 points per 100 possessions without James. If they can’t get healthy by mid-November, they risk falling out of the top 8 in the West — where every half-game matters. Reaves’ heroics aren’t sustainable long-term.
The Lakers were capped out after re-signing Anthony Davis and paying luxury tax penalties from last season. They used their mid-level exception on Marcus Smart — not a depth piece. General Manager Rob Pelinka prioritized veteran leadership over bench depth, a gamble that’s backfiring now. The G League roster is their only safety net.
Smart’s right quad contusion is considered minor but nagging. He missed two games in a row, and the Lakers are being cautious. He’s not on the injury report for the next game, but he’s listed as day-to-day. His defensive presence is critical — especially with Gabe Vincent out. If he returns before November 10, it could stabilize their backcourt.
Yes — temporarily. Reaves averaged 18.3 points per game before this game. After 51 points, he’s now averaging 28.1. His assist-to-turnover ratio jumped from 2.1 to 4.3. But he’s not a true point guard. His body can’t handle 38-minute nights indefinitely. The Lakers need James or Smart back before this becomes a crisis.
Possibly. But they have no first-round picks until 2029, and their only tradable assets are role players like Jaxson Hayes and D’Angelo Russell. Teams won’t give up starters for depth pieces. The Lakers’ best hope is internal — Thiero’s return, Smart’s recovery, and James’ return in November.
The 2019-20 season saw Davis and James miss 47 combined games — but the team still won the title. This year’s depth is far worse. In 2019, they had Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Rajon Rondo, and Avery Bradley as backups. Now? They’re relying on undrafted rookies and G League call-ups. This is the most severe early-season roster depletion since the 2004-05 season, when they lost six players to injury before Christmas.
Hello, my name is Darius Winthrop and I am an automobile expert with years of experience in the industry. I have a deep passion for cars, which has led me to write extensively about the latest models, trends, and innovations. My expertise in the field allows me to provide insightful analysis and commentary that engages a wide audience. When I'm not behind the wheel or at my desk writing, you can find me sketching cars, playing chess or visiting auto shows and events to stay up-to-date on the newest developments. I live in Wellington, New Zealand with my wife, Angela and our children, Isaiah and Safira. We have a tortoise named Sheldon and a parrot called Ralph. My ultimate goal is to share my passion for automobiles with others and help them make informed decisions about their next vehicle.
DWTS pro Rylee Arnold reveals her Type 1 Diabetes journey on TikTok, explaining her Dexcom CGM placement and boosting awareness while competing with Scott Hoying.
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