LOS ANGELES — LeBron James delivered an impressive performance with 42 points, 17 rebounds, and eight assists, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a hard-fought 120-112 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night.
Despite a dominant start, where the Lakers built a 26-point advantage, they nearly let the game slip away before ultimately holding off a late rally by the Warriors.
Austin Reaves contributed significantly with 23 points, and Gabe Vincent was a key player as well, knocking down five 3-pointers. This win marked the Lakers’ fourth consecutive victory and their 10th in the last 12 games, showcasing their recent strong performance, especially with Luka Doncic observing from the sidelines.
Conversely, Stephen Curry put on a scoring display for the Warriors, finishing with 37 points, yet fell short in the battle against James.
During the second quarter, James found his rhythm, scoring 18 points as the Lakers surged ahead. However, Golden State managed to mount an impressive comeback with a 32-12 run just before halftime. Curry kept the pressure on, scoring 22 points in the second half and attempting 20 three-pointers, tying a personal career high for attempts.
With just 3:40 remaining, Curry narrowed the gap to 109-104; nonetheless, James responded with a clutch six 3-pointer with only 1:08 left on the clock.
In a notable development, Jimmy Butler arrived in Los Angeles following the NBA’s approval of his trade from Miami to the Warriors, wherein Andrew Wiggins was the centerpiece exchanged.
Fans welcomed Luka Doncic with excitement when he was introduced before the game, as he is expected to make his debut on Monday. In other news, new Lakers center Mark Williams has yet to join the team.
Key Takeaways: The Warriors began their seven-game road trip with a 0-2 record, but their dynamics are anticipated to shift with Butler’s upcoming debut, likely occurring on Saturday. For the Lakers, their recent three weeks of strong performances will not be overshadowed by a less-than-stellar second half.
A pivotal moment in the game came when James made three 3-pointers in the span of 38 seconds during the second quarter, including a remarkable shot from the midcourt logo.
In a notable statistical achievement, the 40-year-old James has set the record as the oldest player in NBA history to score 30 points and grab 15 rebounds in a single game, breaking his own record for the second time.
Looking ahead, both teams will be back in action on Saturday: the Warriors will face off against the Chicago Bulls, while the Lakers will host the Indiana Pacers.
