LeBron James did not have a good game in his third back from a groin strain as the Lakers took on the Pacers Wednesday night. But he did manage to deliver the game-winning play, a tip-in on a missed Luka Doncic floater with 0.2 seconds left that secured a 120-119 Lakers win. His 8th career buzzer beater, it more than made up for a subpar night from King James.
LeBron James Lifts Los Angeles Lakers to Win on Down Night
Teammates rushed to mob James after the ball went in despite a pending replay review to confirm he got the shot off in time. A pumped James was confident he did. “Ball game,” he said, making the “count it” motion with his right hand while shrugging jubilant Lakers brethren from his shoulders.
It was a home game for the Pacers, but the crowd erupted as James’ timely tip went through the net. The shot put the finishing touch on a wild fourth quarter.
The Lakers rattled off a 10-0 run to start the period, then allowed 13 straight to the Pacers. A pair of Rui Hachimura threes gave them a 6-point lead but a Tyrese Haliburton and-one, a textbook bump-and-shoot from the elbow with Doncic defending, gave Indiana the lead with 42 seconds left. Haliburton dapped up a young courtside fan before draining the free throw.
How the tide turned. Subbed out for defensive purposes, Haliburton watched the final sequence from the sideline. When James’ shot went in, he stood looking flabbergasted. Deflated. Devastated. It is a big loss for the Pacers as they fight to maintain position in fourth in the Eastern Conference standings ahead of the Bucks and Pistons.
James finished with just 13 points on 4-12 from the floor, along with 13 rebounds and 7 assists. Rough outing granted, it’s the last two of those points people will be talking about.
Latest LeBron News Occurs on the Court, Not off It
James has been in the news even more than usual lately. Earlier this season, he hit 50K career points including postseason play, the only player to do so. For a while, his explosive interaction with Stephen A. Smith, over Smith’s Bronny critiques, was the obsession of every sports media network.
Then, on Wednesday, he appeared on The Pat McAfee Show discussing a number of click-bait worthy topics: his relationship with Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, his Brian Windhorst issue. “This guy who says he’s like my f–king best friend, these guys are just weird,” James characterized the ESPN analyst. His latest on-court action ensures he won’t be going anywhere on the Twitter timeline in the next 24 hours.
Following Luka’s trade to Los Angeles, the Lakers continued a torrid stretch of basketball, winning 8 straight in the Doncic era after dropping the first game. Lately, however, James’ injury has thrown a wrench into the team’s smooth flow. The Lakers entered Wednesday on a three-game skid and having lost seven of ten.
The win nudges them to 44-28, fourth place in a congested Western Conference. Before the conclusion of Denver’s game versus Milwaukee, the Lakers sat a half-game behind the Nuggets in third. They own the tiebreaker over Memphis, who is also 44-28. With a strong finish, the Lakers have a real shot at moving up a spot after climbing as high as second during their hot streak. For that to happen, however, they will need James fully healthy and in rhythm. They continue their road trip Thursday in Chicago.
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