In the NBA In-Season Tournament on Friday, LeBron James scored 32 points and overcame a shin injury to lead the Los Angeles Lakers over the Phoenix Suns 122-119, ending the team’s three-game losing streak.
Up until the Lakers rallied to force a thrilling overtime period, the Suns held a commanding lead for the majority of the game.
With one second remaining, Anthony Davis made two free throws to extend LA’s lead to six points, sealing the victory.
“I think it’s the first time that we finally got over the hump as far as this road trip,” James said afterwards, according to ESPN.”
“We’ve been playing from behind in a lot of our games and haven’t been able to take the lead in some of the later games that we’ve lost. So that was a good feeling.”
James received treatment for a shin injury on the bench following his collision with Durant in the first quarter, but he was able to resume play after a brief period of hobbling.
In addition to his 32 points, James had 11 rebounds, six assists, and nine assists. D’Angelo Russell had 19 points and nine assists.
Even with Durant’s incredible 38 points for the Suns, the Lakers were able to win their first game on the road this season.
Luka Dončić, in other news, made history by becoming just the third player in NBA history—after Michael Jordan and LeBron James—to score over 40 points in 30 different games by the age of 25.
The Los Angeles Clippers were destroyed 144-125 by the Dallas Mavericks, thanks in part to his 44 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists.
Dončić is currently averaging 32.9 points per game against the Clippers, which is the highest average a player has had against a single team in their conference since 1976.
“I was unaware of that. According to the Mavs website, he modestly said, “I mean, that’s great,” afterward.
Victor Wembanyama, meanwhile, finished with 29 points, nine rebounds, and four blocks, but the San Antonio Spurs fell short against the Minnesota Timberwolves, 117-110.