LOS ANGELES — In a thrilling matchup on Saturday night, Anthony Davis shone with a remarkable performance, scoring 36 points, grabbing 15 rebounds, and dishing out eight assists, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 132-122 victory over the Sacramento Kings. This game marked the Kings’ first contest under the guidance of interim coach Doug Christie following a controversial firing of Mike Brown earlier that week.
LeBron James was absent for the Lakers due to illness, but the team showcased impressive teamwork to compensate for his missed presence. Austin Reaves stood out with a significant contribution of 26 points and a career-best 16 assists. Other notable performances included Rui Hachimura with 21 points, while rookie Max Christie added 16, and Dalton Knecht made an impact off the bench with 18 points.
De’Aaron Fox, playing for the Kings for the first time since Brown’s dismissal, led his team with 29 points and 12 assists. Additionally, DeMar DeRozan contributed 25 points as the Kings attempted to rally. The Lakers built momentum in the second half, closing the third quarter and beginning the fourth with a surge of 12 consecutive points, establishing a significant 20-point lead.
Sacramento fought back, narrowing the gap to 123-117 with under four minutes left in the game, but decisive plays from Reaves and Christie ensured that the Lakers would maintain their advantage until the final buzzer.
Key takeaways included the need for the Kings to improve their defensive tactics after allowing 33 free-throw attempts, an area that Christie, known for his defensive skills during his 15-year NBA career, will focus on. For the Lakers, Reaves’ playmaking abilities were highlighted, demonstrating that he could step up creatively when James is not in the lineup.
A pivotal moment in the game occurred when Domantas Sabonis, the Kings’ power forward, picked up his fifth foul with 4:17 left in the third quarter. His absence was felt as the Lakers capitalized on the opportunity, attacking the paint aggressively, ultimately leading to his fouling out with 5:20 remaining in the game.
In terms of statistics, the Lakers have now achieved a 2-1 record during games without James, with Hachimura playing a crucial role in both of the team’s victories. He scored 23 points in a previous game against Portland on December 8.
Looking ahead, the Kings will take on the Dallas Mavericks at home on Monday, while the Lakers are set to continue their four-game homestand against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday.
