On Friday night, LeBron James briefly appeared as an aging veteran, displaying signs of discomfort around the baseline after a first-quarter foul.
However, the moment passed swiftly as James rebounded to score an impressive 32 points. In the NBA In-Season Tournament opener, the Los Angeles Lakers triumphed over the Phoenix Suns with a final score of 122-119, breaking a three-game losing streak for the Lakers. D’Angelo Russell contributed 19 points to the team’s success.
“It was good to just finally get over the hump at this early stage of the season,” James said. “We’ve been playing from behind in a lot of our games and haven’t been able to take the lead. That was a good feeling.”
In his 21st season, the 38-year-old LeBron James showcased a vintage performance, defying age by shooting 11 of 17 from the field, including 3 of 4 on 3-pointers. Contributing significantly, James secured 11 rebounds and provided six assists in a 36-minute display.
Facing the Phoenix Suns, Kevin Durant led the opposing team with an impressive 38 points, while Bradley Beal added 24, with 20 points scored in the first half. Unfortunately, Devin Booker was absent for the fourth consecutive game due to a strained right calf.
The turning point in the game came when Austin Reaves made a crucial layup with 9:25 remaining, initiating a 14-0 run that propelled the Lakers to their first lead of the second half at 97-96. Reaves, who played a pivotal role coming off the bench, contributed with mid-range jumpers in the fourth quarter, helping Los Angeles maintain their lead.
Cam Reddish played a key role, tallying 17 points, including a pivotal corner 3-pointer assisted by James, extending the Lakers’ lead to 118-113 with 1:10 remaining. Lakers coach Darvin Ham made strategic lineup changes, starting Reddish and bringing Reaves off the bench. Both players delivered strong performances, with Reaves playing 35 minutes and playing a crucial role in closing out the game.
“It was a good team win,” Ham said. “A lot of what we saw in the second half, that has to be our identity.
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