Taylor Swift and Austin Reaves dating rumors, explained: How Matt Healy breakup & bar photo sent internet into frenzy

Benyam Kidane

•
Taylor Swift and Austin Reaves dating rumors, explained: How Matt Healy breakup & bar photo sent internet into frenzy image

It's always Taylor Swift szn. And apparently its still Austin Reaves szn too.

Reaves is having himself quite the year in 2023, cementing himself as a fan-favorite with the Los Angeles Lakers in his sophomore season. 

Earning a spot in the starting lineup in the playoffs, the undrafted former two-way player's popularity exploded this season, averaging 16.9 points, 4.6 assists, and 4.4 rebounds on 46.4 percent shooting and 44.3 percent from the 3-point line— putting himself in line for a potential $100 million contract as he enters free agency. 

MORE: Austin Reaves free agency details, potential landing spots

The Summer of Reaves is set to be a big one, with his popularity on the rise, even seeing Hollywood star Timothée Chalamet rocking his jersey at a party.   

On Tuesday, Reaves' name was trending all over Twitter as the internet went into overdrive, with reports that the 25-year-old shooting guard was dating Grammy-winning singer Taylor Swift. 

Let's investigate. 

Taylor Swift and Austin Reaves dating rumors, explained

Swift is in the midst of a record-shattering world tour, her first since 2018. And because its T-Swift, OF COURSE her tour corresponds to a recent reported breakup with boyfriend Matt Healy, frontman for the band 'The 1975', per TMZ.

The rumors began to swirl with reports on social media that the pair had been spotted together in an Arkansas bar and while no photos of the pair have made their way to the internet, it didn't stop the fanbases of both Swift and the Lakers to speculate. 

Then there's the photoshopped — and fake — image of Swift "wearing" a Reaves jersey on tour during her recent stop in Austin.

With little to no evidence of a Reaves-Swift union, it appears the internet is doing its thing once again. 

While the internet fans the flames, allow us to pump the breaks.

Austin Reaves girlfriend

Imagine waking up this week as Jenna Barber.

Who is Jenna Barber, you might ask? None other than Reaves' long-time girlfriend! 

Reaves and Barber — who are both Arkansas natives and attended Cedar Ridge High School — reportedly have been dating since 2014. A graduate of the University of Arkansas, Barber also attended multiple Lakers games during their run, very much living her best life.

Austin Reaves' brother responds to rumors

Reaves' brother Spencer took to Twitter following the swirl of rumors, seeing the funny side in the new fake-Twitter relationship involving his brother and Swift.

In April, the internet linked Swift to a host of professional athletes, following her breakup with long-time boyfriend Joe Alwyn, linking her with Mavericks guard Jaden Hardy, Knicks guard Deuce McBride, and New York Giants linebacker Jihad Ward.

Her recent breakup would suggest Reaves is just the latest case of the internet being the internet. 

Regardless of who Reaves is dating, the sharpshooter is set for a big offseason as he enters free agency. He is also reportedly set to represent Team USA at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, alongside fellow young stars Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, Mikal Bridges, and Jaren Jackson Jr. who have all reportedly committed to the team for the tournament.

Benyam Kidane

Benyam Kidane Photo

Benyam Kidane is a senior NBA editor and has been covering the league for The Sporting News since 2016. In his spare time you can find him watching Allen Iverson highlights on repeat.