Darvin Ham walked into the media room almost two hours before Wednesday’s game and told reporters he might have a little surprise for them before the Lakers hosted the Dallas Mavericks.

New starting lineup? Perhaps, but the Lakers coach wasn’t revealing anything.

Then came tip-off, where Austin Reaves joined the Lakers’ starters at Crypto.com Arena.

All he did was put together another memorable game, 25 points and 11 assists, as the Lakers beat Dallas, 122-111, and took another step forward in the crowded Western Conference standings.

“You like the little trick up the sleeve?” Ham asked reporters after the game. “[Reaves]’ ability to play downhill, draw fouls, score from all three levels. He’s in a great space right now. I just thought it made all the sense in the world.”

The Lakers (36-37) moved into a tie with Dallas for ninth place in the too-close-to-call West. Had the Lakers lost, they would have tumbled to 12th.

Reaves wasn’t the only Lakers player of note, even though he followed up his career-high in points (35 on Sunday against Orlando) by setting his career mark for assists.

Anthony Davis broke apart the Suns’ interior defense with 27 points on a variety of spins at the basket, dunks and mid-range jumpers. D’Angelo Russell posted 26 points and six assists, seemingly counteracting any Phoenix rush with a three-pointer or floater in the lane.

“We’re just playing free, having fun. A lot of guys played well and stepped up,” Davis said. “A big win for us, for sure.”

The win wasn’t without mild controversy. The Lakers were awarded a lot more free throws than the Suns, who seemed content to shoot mid-range jumpers and not attack the basket. The Lakers made 36 of 46 from the free-throw line while Phoenix was 15 for 20.

Suns coach Monty Williams wasn’t happy about the refereeing, taking one question from reporters after the game before leaving.

Reaves made 12 of 13 from the free-throw line and revealed he was pretty good at keeping secrets.

“[Ham] pulled me aside [Tuesday] after practice and told me I’d be starting,” Reaves said. “For me it’s really the same mindset — win. At all costs, win. There’s not much difference starting, not starting for me.”

Devin Booker scored 33 points for Phoenix (38-34), which played without injured Kevin Durant and DeAndre Ayton.

The Lakers, meanwhile, played their 12th consecutive game without LeBron James, who remained out because of a tendon injury in his foot.

The Lakers’ next game might be their most important to date — Friday versus a surging Oklahoma City team at Crypto.com Arena.

The Thunder (36-36) sit half a game ahead of the Lakers and the season series is tied at 1-1. The head-to-head tiebreaker is at stake because this is the third and final time they’ll face each other.