LOS ANGELES — LeBron James showcased an impressive performance with a triple-double, tallying 32 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists, while Anthony Davis contributed significantly with 31 points and nine rebounds, propelling the Los Angeles Lakers to a narrow 131-127 win against the Sacramento Kings on Saturday night.
The Lakers remain unbeaten at 3-0 under the guidance of new head coach JJ Redick, with Davis consistently achieving at least 31 points in every game so far this season.
Los Angeles had a commanding lead of 15 points at one stage during the first half; however, the Kings managed to trim the deficit to 64-60 by halftime and even took a 7-point advantage in the third quarter. James played a pivotal role in the Lakers’ comeback during the fourth quarter, scoring 16 points.
In a critical moment with just 37 seconds remaining, Davis hit a crucial 3-pointer, pushing the Lakers ahead 128-123 after the Kings had narrowed the gap to two points.
On the other side, Domantas Sabonis also registered a triple-double despite his team’s loss, finishing the game with 29 points on an efficient 10 of 14 shooting, while also grabbing 12 rebounds and dishing out 10 assists.
Takeaways from the game include the realization that Redick is quickly finding his footing as a head coach in the NBA, leading the Lakers to their perfect start. For the Kings, it was notable that all five of their starters finished with double-digit scoring.
A pivotal moment in the match came when James drained a long 3-pointer during a crucial stretch in the fourth quarter, which capped off an 8-0 run from him, propelling the Lakers to a 101-94 lead. This sequence was initiated by his own pull-up jump shot.
An impressive statistic to highlight is that LeBron James, in his 22nd year in the NBA, is still able to achieve a triple-double, illustrating his enduring excellence on the court.
Looking ahead, the Kings are set to host the Trail Blazers on Monday, while the Lakers will face the Suns on the same day, marking the beginning of a challenging five-game road trip.