Matt Ryan

Lonnie Walker IV hit a three-pointer early in overtime and LeBron James and Anthony Davis added six points in the paint as the Lakers held New Orleans to only ...

Ryan, however, was the undisputed star of the night. Hell of a pass over the top and Matt did what he do.” Russell Westbrook was already close to a triple-double (11 points, seven assists, six rebounds) and the Lakers clamped down defensively to take a 56-44 lead. “I was just glad I didn’t step out of bounds or on the [three-point] line,” Ryan said. Ryan had made only three of 10 shots at the time. It started with Austin Reaves throwing a perfect pass across the court after a time-out with 2.8 seconds left in regulation.

Ryan chipped in 11 points (4-11 FG, 3-9 3Pt), two rebounds and one assist over 18 minutes during Wednesday's 120-117 overtime victory over New Orleans.

Ryan hit the biggest shot of the night for Los Angeles, draining a triple as the clock expired in regulation to send the game into overtime. The [Ryan](/fantasy/basketball/players/2203041/matt-ryan/) chipped in 11 points (4-11 FG, 3-9 3Pt), two rebounds and one assist over 18 minutes during Wednesday's 120-117 overtime victory over New Orleans.

Matt Ryan, who worked as a DoorDash rider, hit a clutch shot to push Lakers in OT against the New Orleans Pelicans.

However, that’s not the end of his story. He played in the G-League after his draft. Usually, players fumble when given the opportunity to hit such a crucial shot during the dying embers of a game. He had played one game for Boston last season but that was the extent of his NBA career until the current season. Matt Ryan played a crucial role in the Los Angeles Lakers’ second win of the season. Let’s take a look at the player’s stats during the game.

LOS ANGELES – Matt Ryan had always been an unlikely hero for the Los Angeles Lakers. After all, he was not even sure if he could make it as a basketball ...

We can’t wait until the second half to decide we want to play, and that’s what we did.” “As a shooter, once you can get your feet down and see the rim clean enough, that made it a lot easier.” We didn’t deserve to win that game, so credit to the Lakers... During the 2022 NBA play-offs, The Athletic revealed that he had also worked at a cemetery. After all, he was not even sure if he could make it as a basketball player, much less in the National Basketball Association (NBA). “I’m thrilled for him,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said.

Here's what you need to know about Matt Ryan, the former DoorDash driver who delivered for the Lakers against the Pelicans on Wednesday.

But he saw little action in Celtics green; Ryan played just five minutes during his time in Boston, none of which came in the playoffs. He bounced around a bit, signing a deal with the Nuggets — and their G-League affiliate — before joining the Celtics on a two-way contract. Ryan took his talents to Vanderbilt for the 2018-19 season and saw increased playing time, making 25 starts as a junior. He spent his 2019-20 season in Chattanooga, turning out with the Mocs. But now he's here, sharing a court with LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook and the rest of his Lakers teammates. It was a moment years in the making for Ryan.

Ryan was of course referring to LeBron James, who finished the game with 20 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists. But the moment was all his. Ryan explained ...

And after the win, he clearly wasn’t used to the attention he was getting. Ryan explained that coach Darvin Ham drew up the game-saving shot specifically for him and gushed over the experience. Ryan finished the game with 11 points on 4-for-11 shooting in 18 minutes of action. He also worked at a cemetery and coached a grassroots basketball team before getting his next playing opportunity. But the moment was all his. I don’t know when I earned it.”

Ryan's journey to Los Angeles is one of the crazier NBA stories you'll hear.

[Austin Reaves](/nba/players/2268681/austin-reaves/) at Summer League that they signed him to the active roster before camp even began. Ryan had the chance to compete for one of those empty roster spots this season, and he made the most of it. Ryan wasn't great, but his 35.5 percent mark from deep in the preseason combined with his performance at training camp got him the nod. In the hour (or rather, second) of greatest need, the Lakers gave the ball to a former delivery driver named [Matt Ryan](/nba/players/2203041/matt-ryan/), who swished a 3-pointer to send the game to overtime. [Denver Nuggets](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/DEN/denver-nuggets/) did. Ryan was the first play to swarm his more well-known teammate. Before you ask, no, he isn't the now-benched Indianapolis Colts quarterback moonlighting as a basketball player in search of a new gig, but his story is just as improbable. To supplement his income, he worked as a delivery driver for UberEats and DoorDash. [Los Angeles Lakers](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/LAL/los-angeles-lakers/) were staring a 1-6 start in the face Wednesday as they trailed the [New Orleans Pelicans](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/NO/new-orleans-pelicans/) 111-108 with just 1.3 seconds remaining on the clock. Of course, 2020 and 2021 were the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Surely it was four-time MVP [LeBron James](/nba/players/400553/lebron-james/), right? how about eight-time All-Star [Anthony Davis](/nba/players/1992786/anthony-davis/)?

Los Angeles Lakers forward Matt Ryan, left, celebrates with guard Russell Westbrook, center, after hitting a three-point shot to tie the game and send it to overtime an NBA basketball game Wednesday against the New Orleans Pelicans in Los Angeles.

Ryan, however, was the undisputed star of the night. Hell of a pass over the top and Matt did what he do.” Russell Westbrook was already close to a triple-double (11 points, seven assists, six rebounds) and the Lakers clamped down defensively to take a 56-44 lead. “I was just glad I didn’t step out of bounds or on the [three-point] line,” Ryan said. Ryan had made only three of 10 shots at the time. It started with Austin Reaves throwing a perfect pass across the court after a time-out with 2.8 seconds left in regulation.