LOS ANGELES — In an exhilarating matchup, the Cleveland Cavaliers extended their winning streak to eight games by outpacing the Los Angeles Lakers 122-110 on Wednesday night. Jarrett Allen shone brightly, scoring a personal season-best of 27 points, while Donovan Mitchell contributed 26 points to the team’s impressive performance. This game also marked a special occasion for LeBron James, as it was his first game after turning 40.

James, who celebrated his birthday just two days earlier, scored 23 points, making history as the first player in the NBA to play in a game in both his teenage years and at the age of 40. Ironically, the milestone was achieved against the Cavaliers, the team that drafted him first overall in 2003. Additionally, he spent 12 beloved seasons with the franchise, culminating in their first NBA championship victory in 2016.

Cleveland’s Evan Mobley also had a notable game, chipping in with 20 points. The Cavaliers solidified their position at the top of the league with an impressive 29-4 record, including a perfect 9-0 against teams from the Western Conference as they head into the new year.

On the other side, the Lakers were bolstered by Austin Reaves, who logged a season-high 35 points along with 10 assists and nine rebounds. Anthony Davis also had a strong showing, adding 28 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. However, Los Angeles heads into 2025 with an 18-14 record, placing them seventh in the Western Conference.

In terms of player updates, Cavaliers’ Sam Merrill sprained his right ankle in the second quarter and did not return to the game, while Darius Garland provided a significant boost with a season-high of 14 assists. New arrivals Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton made their debuts for the Lakers—these players were obtained in a recent trade with Brooklyn. Milton scored six points, while Finney-Smith added two to the team’s efforts.

A pivotal moment in the game came when the Cavaliers held a 16-point lead at 96-80 early in the fourth quarter. The Lakers mounted a comeback and narrowed the gap to 112-107, but Cleveland sealed their victory with a decisive 10-3 run to close out the game. Allen’s emphatic dunk with less than two minutes remaining pushed the Cavaliers ahead 116-107, effectively ending the Lakers’ hopes.

In a noteworthy statistic, the Cavaliers drained 18 three-pointers, marking the seventh consecutive game they have achieved this feat from long range.

Looking ahead, the Cavaliers will conclude their road trip against Dallas on Friday, while the Lakers are set to host Portland on Thursday.